THE victims of a number of historic sex offences in Farnham have been praised for their bravery in speaking out about the ordeal they endured over 30 years ago.

Andrew Jackson, 54, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to four historic sex offences, including indecently assaulting a two-year-old girl, when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court last week.

He pleaded guilty to two of the offences at an earlier hearing in February 2018 and was due to stand trial for the remaining two offences last week, but ended up pleading guilty before the jury was sworn in.

The offences included:

1. Indecent assault of a girl aged between 11 and 12 years – three years’ imprisonment;

2. Indecent assault of a girl aged between 11 and 12 years – 21 months’ imprisonment to run concurrently with the above;

3. Indecent assault of a girl aged two years – four years’ imprisonment to run consecutively to count one;

4. Indecency with a child aged two years – two years’ imprisonment to run concurrently with count one.

The offences took place in Farnham between 1978 and 1982 but the two victims only felt able to come forward as adults.

Jackson was already the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order issued to him in August 2013 after he pleaded guilty to raping a five-year-old girl in Farnham.

The order was issued indefinitely and prevents him from having any unsupervised contact with female children under the age of 16 years.

Jackson was sentenced to nine years in prison for the offence and was released on licence in December 2017.

Detective Sergeant Vicki Green said: “Jackson is an extremely dangerous sexual predator who targeted young girls, taking advantage of their ages and vulnerability to force himself on them.

“The victims have kept quiet about the horrific experience they suffered for a long period of their lives, which has had a massive impact on them both. Nobody should have to go through what they went through. Fortunately, Jackson is now behind bars where he belongs.”

DS Green continued: “This was a long, complicated investigation only made possible by the bravery of the two victims in making the courageous decision to finally speak out about their ordeal. I hope they can now begin to move forward with their lives.”

DS Green added: “We want everyone to know that if a serious offence like this has happened to you, at any point in your life, that you can report it. We take reports of this nature very seriously and will ensure they are thoroughly investigated.

"We take all allegation of this nature very seriously and if you suspect anyone of committing similar offences, please call us immediately on 101 (or always 999 in an emergency)."