A former campsite boss has been convicted of sexually assaulting three children more than 30 years ago.

Donald Veale, 82, managed Buckmore Park, the Kent County Council and Scout Association-run camp site where some of the offences happened.

Veale, who lives on a farm in Gibraltar Lane in Hawkinge, had denied sex offences involving three youngsters, but was convicted on 13 of 14 charges.

Judge Adele Williams remanded him in custody after telling he had been convicted by the jury on “clear and compelling evidence”.

He will be sentenced later this month after the probation service prepare a report on what danger he still poses to youngsters.

Prosecutor John O’Higgins told Canterbury Crown Court that Veale was also a manager of a care home in Romney Marsh, which has since closed down.

He said: “These are allegations of historic sexual abuse of three children by this defendant when he was in a position of trust.

“During this period when they alleged sexual abuse, Veale was the director of children’s activities at Buckmore Park, which was run on behalf of the Scouts.

“The large campsite offered youngsters roller skating, go-carting, swimming and archery.

“And he was also a manager of a care home which has since closed down.”

Mr O’Higgins said two of the alleged victims, a boy and a girl, claimed they were assaulted by Veale at his bedroom at Buckmore Park and in the swimming pool.

The boy, he claimed, was “petrified and feared for his life” after being subjected to a series of attacks, including at Veale’s farmhouse home.

“These are allegations of historic sexual abuse of three children by this defendant when he was in a position of trust" - prosecutor John O'Higgins

Mr O’Higgins claimed Veale, a qualified masseur, offered “chocolate as a treat after some of the incidences.

The prosecutor told the jury that one of the alleged victims had complained to social services about Veale’s behaviour on his boat in Folkestone harbour but no charges had been brought.

Veale denied accusations made by two of his alleged victims that he swam naked in the pool.

And Veale had also rejected a claim that when two children went swimming and had gone to the changing rooms he had said to them: “Can you take the towels off?”

He did admit that some years ago he had been confronted by an adult who claimed that a child had accused him of assault. No charges were ever brought at the time.

After the verdict the judge commended the investigating officer DC Lisa Atkins for her work on the case.