A 72-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for multiple historic sexual offences against children.

Keith Gilding, of Dale Road, Dereham, was found guilty of abusing two children between the late 1980s and 1990. He committed a total of 14 offences, including rape and indecent assault.

One of the victims suffered repeated abuse into their teens, including rape. The other victim was indecently assaulted while they were still a young child.

One victim described the lasting impact of the abuse on their life and relationships, stating they did not even "like cuddling" and could not show their emotions, even after becoming a parent. They also experience flashbacks to this day.

The second victim shared how the abuse affected their teenage years, leading them to turn to alcohol to cope with their feelings. It wasn't until they became a parent that they began to turn things around, but they still suffer from flashbacks.

One of the victims reported the abuse to the police in June 2020, with the second victim following suit the next month. Gilding was arrested on July 16, 2020.

Gilding was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault, two counts of rape, two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 13, and two further serious sexual acts. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison at Norwich Crown Court, with one year to be served on licence.

DC Emma Beck stated: "The sentence will hopefully go some way to seeking justice for his victims. As an adult, Gilding was in a position of trust which he abused. These crimes had a lasting impact on the victims, their relationships, and the quality of their lives. We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to report or seek help."