A Clevedon man who sexually abused young children in the 1980s has been jailed for eight years and six months.

Martin Davies, aged 69, of Moor Park, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault on six children who were aged between six and 12 years old.

He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

Detective Inspector Lindsay Shearlock said: “Martin Davies actively put himself in situations where he would come into contact with children.

“He would manipulate these situations to isolate children he wanted to abuse and then committed offences on them.”

Davies’ crimes first came to light at the end of 2015, when a police investigation got underway.

He denied all the charges against him until the first day of his trial, where the prosecution’s evidence against him was ‘overwhelming’, according to DI Shearlock.

She added: “I want to pay tribute to all the victims who came forward. Their clear and concise evidence ensured Davies was made to face the consequences of his actions, despite these offences being committed in the 1980s.

“We believe Davies may have committed further offences and there could be other victims out there. I want to reassure any further victims that they will be listened to and believed. If you don’t want to tell the police, please tell someone.”