A MAN has been jailed for a series of sexual assaults on two young boys.

Roy Thorp, 72, was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault and five counts of gross indecency in total.

Nine offences against one victim, a boy then aged between seven and 11, took place at various addresses and locations including Ashington, Hangleton, and Southwick between 1976 and 1980.

Five were of indecent assault and four were of incitement to commit gross indecency.

The other victim, a boy aged between five and 12, was indecently assaulted six times and the victim of gross indecency on two occasions.

These offences took place at various locations and addresses including Saltdean and Newhaven.

Thorp, of Brook Way, Lancing, was jailed on Friday for 13 years after a week-long trial at Chichester Crown Court in August.

Judge Christopher Parker commended the victims who came forward to give evidence for their courage in doing so.

He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) severely restricting his access to children, and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Claire Mitchell of Worthing CID said: "Thorp came to know both boys and in each case he gained their confidence and took advantage of their natural naivety and vulnerability just for his own sexual gratification.

"They harboured these terrible secrets into adulthood, causing them both great stress and personal problems.

"It was just two years ago that they both summoned up the courage to come forward to us and give us full details of their distressing experiences at Thorp's hands.

"We particularly admire the way they both had the strength to give evidence in open court, so that they could face their abuser personally."

She added: "Anyone who wishes to report non-recent or recent sexual offences against them or anyone else can always contact us."