Michael Wort, 69, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to five years in prison for sexual offences against three children.

The offences, which took place between 1971 and 2019 at addresses in the New Forest, involved one count of sexual assault of a girl under 13 (by touching), and two counts of indecent assault of a girl under 16.

Wort was found guilty by a jury at Southampton Crown Court and was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and given an indefinite Restraining Order against contacting his victims.

The court heard that the offences took place over a 48-year period against three separate children. One offence took place against a child in 1971, three offences against another child between 1985 and 1986, and two offences against a further child between 2018 and 2019.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Battersby said: "We would like to commend the women who have shown incredible bravery and courage in coming forward. These are extremely difficult times for these women and it would not have been easy, both emotionally and physically, to have to re-live their ordeals from when they were younger."

"We know how hard it is to come forward and report these offences, whether they have taken place recently or in the past. We are committed to getting justice for victims and have specially trained officers to support them through the process. We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak with our specialist detectives in confidence."

Two of the victims also came forward to say: "We would like to thank all the officers involved in the case and Hampshire Constabulary's witness care team, for all their support through this most difficult time. They made the whole experience of coming forward so comforting, and while it was hard, we now have closure. We would recommend anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward."