A paedophile former Scout leader has been ordered to pay $1 million in damages to a man he sexually abused when the victim was as young as five.

John William Alcorn, 84, was last year convicted of 16 historical child sex abuse offences, dating back to between 1971 and 2003.

He was sentenced in Coffs Harbour District Court to 15 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 10 years, for abusing nine boys.

Separate civil proceedings were launched by one of those victims in the District Court.

Lismore District Court Acting Judge Leonard Levy on Thursday awarded the man damages of $1,021,300.

Anger, pain, depression

Judge Levy told the court the assaults against the man, now 38, "were committed upon him on multiple occasions between 1991 and 1992, when the plaintiff was aged between five and six years".

A psychiatrist report commissioned by the man's legal team was tendered in court.

"Your client suffered serious psychiatric injuries as a result of sexual assaults he was subjected to as a child by Mr John Alcorn," the psychiatrist's report said.

"His childhood, adolescence and adult life were adversely affected, leading to substance use, self-harm and criminal behaviour.

"He suffers with low self-esteem, worry, depression and aggressive outbursts."

The report outlined the man had had difficulties maintaining healthy relationships and employment.

The man did not claim for past economic loss as part of the payout, which put a value to his past pain, suffering, and the loss of the enjoyment and amenity of life.