A paedophile has been jailed for 15 years for a series of sexual offences against two girls in the 1970s and 80s.

Fred Livesley, 77, assaulted the girls – who were younger than 14 at the time – in Bethersden, near Ashford.

His victims did not come forward until 2020, and Livesley was then investigated by police.

In court, Livesley was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

On July 31 Livesley, formerly from St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, was jailed for 15 years and ordered to serve an extra three years on licence following that term.

Investigating officer DC Antony White said: “Fred Livesley was brought to justice more than 40 years after his despicable crimes.

“Despite the passage of time, and his failure to admit what he had done, we were able to prove multiple sexual offences and he now faces a lengthy prison term.

“I hope the case encourages others who may have been victims of sexual abuse to report it to police. Perpetrators should face justice for their actions, no matter how long ago their crimes took place.”