A man is starting a prison sentence for a string of sexual offences against young girls between 15 and 25 years ago.

Richard Jones, 63, formerly known as Richard Ernest Bloch, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison on Thursday after being convicted of nine offences, with victims in three counties.

Jones, who lives in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, will also be a registered sex offender for life.

At Brighton Crown Court he was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault and two of gross indecency, against four girls known to him, aged between six and 11 between 1991 and 2002 in Crawley, North West London and Kent

Six of the indecent assault offences were committed against three of the girls, all in Crawley, between 1991 and 1995.

The two gross indecency offences and one indecent assault were committed against the fourth girl, at an address in Ruislip, Middlesex, and at an address in Sissinghurst, Kent, between 2000 and 2002.

Det Sgt Sian Harding of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigation Unit said: "Jones, who was known as Bloch until he changed his name in 1995, befriended the girl's families, worked his way into their confidence and systematically abused them, in most cases over a period of two or more years, for his own gratification.

"This came to light in 2015 when police were investigating an unrelated matter which is still under investigation.

"We will always take seriously all reports of sexual offences, from however long ago, and try to investigate wherever possible, to seek to achieve justice for the victims if we can.”

"If anyone has other information or concerns that they would like to raise on learning of Jones' sentencing, then please contact me in confidence on 01273 404123."