A Christian healer, who sexually assaulted female patients, has today been jailed for two years.

George Boak, 70, indecently touched three women he was treating at his home of Lightcliffe, near Brighouse, while his wife of 34 years was in another room.

He denied the offences and tried to convince jurors during his trial at Bradford Crown Court that victims were experiencing "phantom hands" - a phenomenon he claimed to have heard about in which patients imagine they are being touched.

However, Judge Jonathan Rose said the explanation was a "significant lie" as he jailed the pensioner.

He said Boak had preyed on vulnerable and desperate women and had shown "continuing unwillingness to demonstrate any remorse whatsoever".

Boak treated them by using so-called faith healing techniques which involved touching patients' bodies in various places to alleviate discomfort.

Boak, who had been remanded in custody since his conviction earlier this month, will have to sign the sex offenders' register for ten years.