A disabled sex offender who abused young girls over a five-year period was jailed for three-and-a-half years today after a judge said he was "at risk of repeat offending."

Wheelchair-bound Archibold Walker, 59, of Farndale close, Usher, Haxby, near York, admitted indecently assaulting three girls aged between six and 11 during a five-year period in the 70s and 80s.

Walker, who is jobless, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at York Crown Court in march 1995 for six charges of indecency but was haunted by the prospect of offences he committed earlier coming to light.

Hull Crown Court heard that one woman who was psychologically scarred by his acts of indecency in the late 1970s was referred to police after she went into counselling and was advised to contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

She, along with other women, decided to reveal his past amid fears that he would go on to continue his offending against other girls.

Sentencing him Judge Jacqueline Davies said custody was inevitable for such serious offences, which were aggravated by a "dreadful betrayal" of trust.

She said: "The age of the girls, one of whom was six at the time, is what makes it so serious. It is also not the first time for an offence of this kind. The girls in this case have had to carry the anxiety and guilt for many years. It is only after the conclusion of the proceedings that the women can continue to live their lives. I am satisfied you are a continuing risk."

Walker admitted five charges of indecent assault between 1977 and 1982 before the start of a scheduled trial at York Crown Court on December 5.

Barrister Nicholas Barker, for Walker said he had pleaded guilty after catching sight of one of the victims in the case on the concourse of the court in York before the trial began and wanted to spare her further ordeal.

Mr Barker said the offences Walker now admitted dated before the Government increased sentencing powers for indecency and occurred after he had served a prison term.

He said he had been haunted by the belief the truth about his previous offences would have come out in 1995.

"This defendant is ravaged by ill health," said Mr Barker. "He is almost wheelchair bound. He has back pain and shoulder pain and he takes a cocktail of drugs to control his condition."

He said it was difficult to imagine how he would become a sexual predator in a wheelchair and in need of constant help from his registered carer, his wife. Walker was told he would be required to sign the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period of time.

Updated: 16:36 Tuesday, April 03, 2001