A PENSIONER from Cirencester has been found guilty on 14 charges after standing trial for sexually abusing a girl and a boy in the 1960s and 70s.

Paul John Evans, 76, of Stepstairs Court, Watermoor, was on trial at Bristol Crown Court to face a total of 19 charges - he was found not guilty of five.

He was convicted of abusing a girl aged five to eight between 1968 and 1972, and a boy of a similar age between 1971 and 1976.

After more than six hours of deliberation, a jury of 12 people, four women and eight men, found Evans guilty of six counts of indecent assault on the girl and three of indecency with her, as well as four of indecently assaulting the boy, and one of indecency with him.

Sentencing for Mr Evans has been adjourned to a later date due to his age and ill health.

Judge Recorder P.R. Dunkels QC said the decision was made "to find out what the appropriate sentence is".

Judge Dunkels told Evans: "You have been convicted of a series of serious offences. They undoubtedly pass the custody threshold."

But he said that he was prepared to grant Evans bail in the meantime and he would be notified when and where he would return to court for sentencing.