A married couple who sexually abused two vulnerable boys over a period of 16 years have been jailed.

Ian St Claire, 57, and Gillian St Claire, 56, of Eastbourne, were found guilty of 19 counts of indecent assault, gross indecency and attempted buggery at a Lewes Crown Court trial.

Mr St Claire was guilty of 16 offences of indecent assault, gross indecency and attempted buggery of a boy in Bexhill and Eastbourne between 1979 and 1993.

His wife was convicted of two offences of ill-treating and neglecting the same boy between 1982 and 1992 and another such offence against another boy in Bexhill between 1984 and 1995.

Mr St Claire was handed an eight year jail term with his wife receiving two-and-a-half years.
The pair, of Hengist Close, were sentenced on Thursday (June 13).

Investigating officer Detective Constable Martyn Milligan said: "This was a complex investigation in which we uncovered systematic abuse over many years affecting two vulnerable boys, even into their adulthood.

“The offending was summed up in specimen charges which covered a whole period of abuse.

"This was reported to us in 2011, long after the offending had ceased, but we were still able to help achieve justice for the victims, and this sends a clear message that anyone who feels they have been victim of such offending can contact us in confidence at anytime, and their concerns will be taken seriously."