A ‘FILTHY’ paedophile who devastated the lives of three young girls with “routine and blatant” sexual abuse has been jailed for 11 years.

Ian Roberts, 67, threw himself on the mercy of the court, knowing he deserved what he got, his solicitor advocate Julian White said yesterday.

Roberts, of Bowling Old Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to nine offences of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child, all committed when he was aged between 22 and 39.

Prosecutor Rebecca Young said Roberts’ victims were aged five to 13.

He groomed one child with gifts of a watch and a camera, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Some of the charges reflected multiple accounts of sexual abuse, including making the girls touch him indecently and forcing one child’s legs apart so he could masturbate while looking at her knickers.

Of one girl’s ordeal, Miss Young said: “She felt horrible, scared and used to cry but didn’t tell anybody.”

Roberts was arrested on January 12 last year and made no comment when the police questioned him.

But he pleaded guilty to all the allegations when he appeared before the crown court.

In their victim personal statements, the complainants said the abuse had affected their childhood and later adult life.

One woman said Roberts told her she would be in trouble if anyone found out about the abuse. She felt dirty, confused and did not really understand what was happening.

A second girl was left scared to be alone with men because she feared what they might do to her.

The third complainant said she had carried the trauma throughout her life.

Roberts stopped offending when he was 39 and was now a different person, it was said.

Mr White said Roberts wanted to tell the court: “I did it, it was wrong, I upset the lives of three young women and I deserve what I get.” Roberts had prostate cancer and slipped discs. His wife was supporting him and he threw himself on the mercy of the court.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, said: “This is routine, repetitive, blatant sexual offending.”

The “filthy” abuse involved grooming the girls to sexually molest them.

Roberts had shown remorse and Judge Durham Hall noted his age, ill health and previous good character. He told Roberts: “You are someone who has got away with it for years, coming to answer in later life.”

Roberts must sign on the sex offender register for the rest of his life.

After the case, an NSPCC spokesperson said: "Roberts' sickening offences would have caused long-lasting and devastating damage to the lives of his three young victims.

"The fact that these offences have only been revealed now do not lessen their impact - in fact these women will have had to bear a huge burden by keeping their ordeals a secret, having no professional help to ensure their recovery.

"No child should ever have to keep abuse a secret, which is why our schools service helps children understand when and why they should always speak out."

Childline provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If anyone has any worries about a child or is concerned about possible child abuse, either ongoing or in the past, they can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk for help and support.