A 51-year-old man has today been sentenced to 13 years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, after being convicted of a number of serious sexual offences against children.

Gary Auker, of Sutton Bridge, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court after being found guilty by a jury of 17 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape.

The offences involved male and female victims and took place in Norfolk between the early 1970s and early 1990s.

Det Con Frances Cable of Norfolk Constabulary’s Vulnerable Persons Unit said: “This investigation began in June 2010 and has involved extensive enquiries due to the time which had elapsed.

“For years Auker committed these terrible crimes against very vulnerable young children who until recently had been too scared to come forward.”

Det Insp Richard Ellis, added: “By pleading not guilty, Auker forced the victims to have to relive the ordeal in court, which has proven an immensely stressful experience. The misery he has caused has not only affected the victims, but their families too.

“I would like to commend the witnesses and victims in this case for the bravery they have shown in helping officers from the Vulnerable Persons Unit and the Crown Prosecution Service achieve justice for them all.

“This has taken an enormous amount of courage on their part, and we hope such a sentence will give them a sense of closure, and that they can now move on positively with their lives.”

Auker was also issued with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which means he will never be able to live with a child under the age of 16 or have un-supervised access with a child under the age of 18.

Det Insp Ellis, added; “If a victim of abuse contacts us, we will always endeavour to conduct a thorough investigation, no matter how long after the alleged offence, and to bring to justice those who abuse and mistreat children and other vulnerable persons who have the right to be protected.”

Anyone who is, or has been, a victim of abuse is urged to speak out. They can call Norfolk Constabulary on 0845 456 4567 or Norfolk County Council’s Children’s Services Department on 0344 800 8014.