Girls' abuser jailed more than 40 years after offences began

Eugene Mitcham was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Luton Crown Court. Credit: Press Association.

A 66-year-old man whose "campaign of sustained abuse" went hidden for years has been jailed - more than 40 years after his first offence.

Eugene Mitcham, of Eaton Road, Kempston, sexually abused the youngsters over a period of years from 1974 to 1980. They were just eight and 11 years old when it began.

Today, he was jailed for two and a half years during a hearing at Luton Crown Court having been convicted of three counts of indecent abuse.

Children's charity the NSPCC called his crimes "vile" and said they hoped the outcome would give other victims of abuse the confidence to report it.

Mitcham was also added to the Sex Offenders' Register for life and had been made the subject of both a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.

The pensioner was found not guilty of six other child sex offences during his trial.