A MAN who committed a string of child-sex offences dating back over 40 years has been jailed.

William Cooper, aged 69, of Tower Street, Chapeltown, Turton, was jailed for 12 months at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of continued indecent assault on a girl who was aged between seven and nine.

He was also sentenced to nine months to run concurrently after pleading guilty to one count of indecent assault on a girl who was aged under 14 at the time.

Police launched an investigation in April last year when one of the victims came forward and reported the abuse to police.

Cooper was arrested and charged in October last year.

Detective Inspector Mark Winstanley, from Blackburn CID, said: “I would like to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward to the police.

"I hope this sentence will be of some comfort to them and that they will be able to move forward with their lives.

“This case highlights that it is never too late to report a crime — even though the offences were committed over 40 years ago, justice has been brought.”