A 68-YEAR-OLD Accrington man convicted of five sex offences has been jailed for 18 months.

Henry Coates, who appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court in a wheelchair, had earlier been found guilty by a jury following trial.

The court heard that he still maintained his innocence over the offences which were years old.

Coates, of Park Road, Accrington, had been convicted of two charges of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

The girl concerned had been under ten years old at the time. Matters eventually came to light after she developed an eating disorder and she went on to talk about the defendant's behaviour.

Defence barrister Mr Paul Hague said that though the offences merited custody, the court could draw back from passing a prison sentence, given Coates' state of health.

He suggested a probation order or suspended sentence might he imposed.

He had no previous convictions and had a perfectly responsible family.

Mr Hague added "There is no prospect of his re-offending. He cannot come to terms with the shame of the offences. Prison would be very hard for him to bear."

Judge Andrew Blake said the offences undoubtedly passed the custody threshold, but he would considerably reduce the sentence he would otherwise have passed.