A paedophile pensioner who sexually abused children in offences spanning many years has been jailed for 12 years.

Under the sentence for public protection, 68-year-old Peter Cordingley will have to serve at least two thirds but he will not be released until the parole board decides it is safe to do so.

He was convicted in November of two offences of indecent assault and two of sexual activity with a child. The victims were two girls and a boy.

The jury could not agree on verdicts involving four other girls on eight charges of indecent assault and seven of indecency with a child.

Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst offered no further evidence on those charges because the alleged victims did not wish to go through the ordeal of giving evidence again at a retrial.

Not guilty verdicts were entered.

"Peter Cordingley is a depraved individual who gave little or no thought to the impact his actions would have on his victims..." - DC Samantha Bungay

Maidstone Crown Court heard that some of the offences on which Cordingley, of St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, was convicted were committed in the Maidstone area. The last was on a young girl when Cordingley was aged 66.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC branded them “wicked” when he passed sentence on Friday.

Cordingley - who will be on licence for a further two years at the end of the 12-year term - groomed one of the girls and bribed her with gifts.

Simon Taylor, defending, submitted that a determinate sentence should be imposed. A sexual offences prevention order, he said, would “manage” the risk of future harm being caused.

“He is 68 and will find a lengthy sentence all the more difficult to cope with,” he continued. “He has not previously experienced custody and has no previous convictions for sexual offences.”

But Judge Macdonald said Cordingley - who continues to deny the abuse - presented a significant risk of causing serious harm.

“He is remorseless and lacks insight,” he added. “An extended sentence will reflect the criminality and protect the public.”

After the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Samantha Bungay said: "Peter Cordingley is a depraved individual who gave little or no thought to the impact his actions would have on his victims.

"There is no excuse for what he did and I would like to pay tribute to the children involved, who showed tremendous courage in talking to us about what happened."