A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed for five years for offences of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child.

Merlin Parish, 48, of Wharf Road, Grays, had abused his victims, two girls, who were aged under 16 at the time of the offences, over a period of about five years. Matters came to light in 2013.

Parish had denied one charge of indecent assault of a child and three charges of gross indecency with a child.

He stood trial this week at Basildon Crown Court and he was found guilty of all the charges yesterday, Thursday July 2.

He was sentenced today to four years for indecent assault, 12 months for one charge of gross indecency, to run consecutively, and 12 months for each of the remaining indecency charges, to run concurrently.

Investigating officer Dc Ben Griffiths, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team based in Brentwood, said: "Parish had denied abusing his victims and put them through the trauma of having to give evidence in court.

"The judge said it was the first time in a very long time that she had been so moved by testimony given in the courtroom.

"I am pleased that justice has been done in this case.”