A HAMPSHIRE man has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of child sex offences.

Justin Paul Willis, 36, of School Lane, Hamble, was convicted of 19 offences, including indecent assault, following a two-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

The court heard Willis sexually assaulted two girls in the Winchester area when they were aged between four and 17 years of age.

The jury were told Willis started his offending in 1997 and carried it on until 2008 and that his abuse only came to light when one of the victims reported it to the police in 2015.

Today Judge Adam Feest jailed Willis and put him on the sexual offender register for life.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Craig Ferguson said: “Today justice has been served on a man who committed awful acts over a prolonged period of time.

“In sentencing, the judge said Willis showed manipulative and cowardly behaviour in committing and trying to conceal these offences.

“The two victims in this case have had to show remarkable bravery and courage in reliving their experiences during the investigation and again during the trial.

“I hope this result will give confidence to any victim that has suffered abuse of this nature that they can come forward and talk to us.”