A PENSIONER was today starting a two-year jail term for sexually abusing two little girls about 10 years ago.

Burnley Crown Court heard Fred Whittaker, 72 and now wheelchair-bound, fondled his victims and performed sex acts on them, following a similar pattern with both complainants.

He bribed the girls to keep quiet about what he was doing with sweets and chocolates and swore them both to secrecy over his behaviour.

Sentencing Whittaker, Judge Raymond Bennett said not surprisingly the victims, now teenagers, had been very upset by what happened and had found it very difficult to come to terms with .

He added they believed it affected their lives now and they would have to live with those feelings perhaps for the rest of their days.

Whittaker, of Hodder Street, Accrington, had earlier admitted five specimen counts of indecent assault. He also had to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

Arthur Stuttard, prosecuting, said both girls asked the defendant to stop his behaviour but he refused and bribed them with sweets and chocolate.

Both complainants "bottled up," what had happened to them and the offences came to light after one made allegations in July 1999. Whittaker was of previous good character.

Judith Roscoe, defending, said Whittaker accepted he put his hand under the girls' clothing .

He had difficulties in communicating to others what had happened and what had gone on in the past, but was genuinely sorry for what he had done.

The defendant was ashamed of himself, was disgusted by what he had done and was fully aware of the hurt he had caused the complainants.

In the years since the offences were committed, Whittaker's life had changed significantly.

His health had deteriorated, he was suffering from asthma, osteoarthritis and heart disease and he had been forced to retire due to ill health. He was visited by a district nurse three times a week.

The defendant's wife was in her late 60s, was extremely ill, was on oxygen 14 hours a day and needed round the clock attention.