A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed for 11 years for voyeurism and child abuse committed over seven years.

John Burns was caught after two children revealed how he had used them for his own purposes.

The younger was seven when he started years of sexual attacks on her. The older was 14 when he spied on her to get sexual gratification for himself.

The 60-year-old from Station Court, Easingwold, admitted 12 offences and was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court.

Detective constable Rich Hampton, of Northallerton Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, said: "John Burns is guilty of a disgusting level of abuse which he carried out over a long period of time.

“Thankfully his victims eventually plucked up the courage to report their ordeal and their bravery in coming forward means that Burns has now been brought to justice.

“Hopefully he will spend his time in jail reflecting on the years of torment he put his victims through and the lasting impact it will have on them for the rest of their lives.

“I also hope that the conclusion of this case can allow the victims and their family to try and move forward and feel some sense that justice has been done.”

Burns admitted six charges of sexual assault, one of sexually touching a child, four of taking an indecent photograph of a child and one of voyeurism.

The detective urged other victims of sexual offences to come forward and assured them North Yorkshire Police would treat them with sensitivity and discretion by specially trained officers.

All victims of sexual offences are guaranteed anonymity by law.