A FRAIL Cirencester pensioner who sexually abused two young children - a boy and a girl - more than four decades ago, has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Paul Evans, 76, who is in poor health after a 100-cigarettes a day smoking habit, had denied 21 charges of indecent assault and gross indecency involving the youngsters - who were aged between five and eight at the time.

But after a trial held at Bristol Crown Court last month, he was found guilty by a jury of fourteen of the offences and was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court last Friday.

For a total of nine offences against the girl he received four years imprisonment - plus two and a half years consecutively for five offences against the boy.

The offences against the girl occurred between 1968 and 1977 and those involving the boy were between 1971 and 1977.

The jury were told he exposed and touched himself in front of the children, touched them intimately, and made them touch him on multiple occasions.

He had two previous convictions when he was a teenager for indecently assaulting three children on two separate occasions but had not offended since the latest offences.

Defence solicitor Gareth James said Evans still denies the latest offences despite the jury's findings.

"He continues to maintain his innocence so I can say nothing about the offences themselves," said Mr James.

"However, since they were committed it would appear he has reformed. There has been nothing against him in the last forty years.

"In my submission any period of imprisonment for him will be difficult. It is going to make life difficult for him and also for the prison service."

The judge, Recorder Peter Dunkels, said he had read that Evans has very poor mobility.

Jailing Evans the Recorder told him: "I have no doubt that your behaviour towards your victims has left each of them with lifetime of traumatic memories and has left a significant mark on each of them.

"I make allowances for your age, your infirmity and your restricted mobility. I have no doubt it will be very hard for you in prison but arrangements will be made to accommodate your infirmities."