Grandfather jailed for abusing own granddaughters

An 80-year-old man has been jailed for six years and nine months after admitting sexually abusing his own granddaughters.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard the abuse of the eldest of the two victims began when she was seven and continued until she was 11, while the younger granddaughter was sexually assaulted twice when she was 13.

Police said the girls had showed "incredible bravery" to report the crimes.

The man was charged with four counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching, one count of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17.

The older of the two girls reported the abuse she had been subjected to after finding out her younger sister had come forward, the court heard.

Their grandfather was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and his name was added to the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Det Con Mel Earnshaw, from the Gloucestershire Police Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "Both these girls showed incredible bravery in coming forward and seeing through this investigation.

"A significant amount of abuse happens behind closed doors and involves family members or close family friends.

"We will always believe anyone who comes to us to report sexual abuse and will work with them to provide the appropriate support and achieve the outcome that they desire."

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