A man has been jailed for 16 years after being convicted of 11 child sex offences in Basildon.

Essex Police were called on January 20, 2017 with allegations of sexual assault against Roy Cooper relating to offences in the 1960s and 1970s.

Following further investigations, Cooper, 80, of Mapleford Sweep, Basildon, attended a voluntary interview on February 14, 2017.

On September 14 he appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court where he was charged with eight counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

The offences related to two children under the age of 13.

He denied the charges but on Friday, March 16 2018 a jury unanimously found him guilty of all charges following a trial at Basildon Crown Court.

At the same court today, he was jailed for 16 years.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Tiffany Jennings said: “I would like to thank the victims for having the strength and courage to come forward and report their abuse to us and to all the witnesses who assisted in this case.

“Roy Cooper committed horrendous offences against the most vulnerable of all victims.

“The victims’ distress was prolonged further by his persistent denial of the allegations and making the victims re-live their ordeal through a trial. “I only hope that his conviction and sentence will assist the victims in moving forward, and will allow other victims to have confidence, that it is never too late to report abuse.”