A UNDERTAKER who sexually abused young girls has been jailed.

Michael Coggins, 68, of Church Street, Alcombe, Somerset, abused three girls in Hove between 1980 and 1986.

Appearing at Hove Crown Court last week, he admitted 18 offences of indecent assault and gross indecency against the girls who were aged between seven and 16. 

Coggins was jailed for four years, placed on the sex offenders' register for life and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Tracey Dixon, from the Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said: "I hope that Coggins' victims will now find closure after living with the impact of his crimes for so many years.

"We take all sexual crimes extremely seriously and no matter how long ago they happened, we will investigate and we will seek justice."