An 83-year-old man had been jailed for historic sex offences involving three young girls spanning three decades.

John Coates, originally from Gustard Wood, began his offending in the late 1960s but it is only in the past two years that his victims, now adults, felt able to come forward.

The paedophile’s offending went on until the 1980s while he was living in Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead.

He was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of three offences of indecent assault and three offences of indecency with a child.

Coates, who now lives in Cambridge, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday (17).

Trial judge Stephen Warner told Coates: “You treated them as objects for your own gratification.”

The judge said that having read reports on Coates, compiled since the end of his trial, it was clear he was still in denial and had expressed no remorse for his victims.

Coates was jailed for five years and nine months and told his name would go on the sex offenders register.