Jail over catalogue of child sex abuse

Derek Dearing, who was found guilty of eleven charges of indecent assault by a jury last month, was said to have subjected the four young girls involved to "a catalogue of sexual abuse".

His first victim, who was aged about nine, alleged that she had been repeatedly abused by him for at least a year.

A 15-year-old girl was fondled and molested by Dearing during a visit to his home and a third youngster was kissed and abused by him when she was about nine or 10.

His final victim was also under 10 and Bradford Crown Court heard that she tried to fight off his attentions using a child's toy.

Yesterday Judge Peter Benson made Dearing, 58, the subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order which bans him from having unsupervised contact with children under 16.

Dearing, of Leafield Way, Eccleshill, Bradford, will also have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life following his release from prison.

His lawyer, Simon Hustler, said his client had found it difficult in custody since being remanded following his trial last month.

Mr Hustler said Dearing had suffered a rather dramatic loss of weight while in custody.

Speaking after the hearing Detective Sergeant Stuart Lyons, who led the investigation, said police were pleased with the sentence Dearing received.

DS Lyons added: "He must have thought he had got away with these offences, carried out up to 24 years ago on young and vulnerable girls, and this conviction demonstrates that offenders such as Dearing will not escape justice.

"We hope that knowing their attacker is now behind bars will provide

some comfort as well as closure for his victims."