A man aged 90 has been jailed for 11 years for sexually abusing six young girls over a period of more than 20 years.

George Hunt was sentenced today by the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, at Bradford Crown Court on a video link to Newcastle Crown Court.

He is formerly from the Halifax area but now lives in Aird Road, Beauly, Inverness.

Hunt pleaded guilty to ten charges of indecent assault spanning a period of 23 years.

The court heard that Hunt had abused a seventh girl in Scotland which was out of the court’s jurisdiction at the time. Had the case gone to trial, she would have provided the jury in Bradford with evidence of his bad character.

Some of the victims wept when they told the police about the abuse, Mr Stevenson said.

After he was arrested, Hunt denied all the allegations. He was due to stand trial on December 14 but admitted the offences today.

One woman said she went from being a bubbly and fun-loving girl to suffering anxiety and panic attacks. She felt dirty and ashamed for years and blamed herself.

Another victim was haunted by the memories and said it had a horrible effect on her whole life.

In mitigation, Jeff Smith said that Hunt was now 90 years old and had lived with the police investigation since 2016.

There had been no offending for many years and he was no longer a threat to any child.

‘Nothing would be achieved by imprisoning this frail 90-year-old man,’ Mr Smith said.

Hunt had been aware for a long, long time that what he had done was wrong. He had demonstrated a great deal of courage to come to court to admit his offending, Mr Smith said.

Judge Mansell said the victims were violated and robbed of their childhoods.

The purpose of the sentence was punishment because Hunt was now too old to present a risk to children. He had dragged out the proceedings for three years by denying the offences.

“Such sentences as I am going to pass are likely to mean that you will spend the rest of your days in prison,” Judge Mansell said.

He jailed Hunt for 11 years with a one year extended licence period.

He must sign on the sex offender register indefinitely.