A "COLD" and "predatory" man has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of seven counts of sexual assaults on four women, all known to him, over a period of almost 40 years.

Andrew Hocking, 57, of Gorse Close, Copthorne, near Crawley, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court today, having been convicted last Friday.

This was after admitting 11 offences at a previous hearing of making indecent images of children between 2009 and 2011, and with one offence of possessing an extreme pornographic image in 2011. All these offences were committed in West Sussex.

Three of the assault counts related to a woman, who was then a girl aged seven, where Hocking used to live in Alveston near Thornbury, Avon and Somerset, in 1976 and 1977.

He was found not guilty of another indecent assault offence against her.

Two of the counts, one of rape and one of indecent assault, related to his offences against a woman who was then a girl aged 12, at an address where he lived in Greendale Close, Fareham, Hampshire, between 1982 and 1984.

The other two indecent assault counts were each related to attacks on two other women, one then a girl aged seven in 1985, and the other then a girl aged between six and nine between 1987 and 1990, all also at his address in Fareham.

Detective Constable Chris Smith of Sussex Police said: "Even though we are used to dealing with paedophiles, Hocking stands out as cold, calculating, predatory and ruthless.

"Despite the strong evidence against him he put the victims through the ordeal of having to recount their episodes of abuse. He has not shown any genuine remorse."

Hocking was also served with a Risk of Sexual Harm Prevention Order severely restricting his access to computers and girls under 16. He will also be a registered sex offender (RS0) for life.

During the investigation, which initially concerned the indecent images offences, detectives found records of the Alveston allegations, and further enquiries, together with media appeals, led to the three Fareham victims coming forward.

DC Smith added: "We acknowledge the victims' courage in being prepared to come to court and tell their stories.

"We also thank other witnesses who also attended and provided strong corroborative evidence."