A BOURNEMOUTH man who sexually abused five children over a number of years has been jailed.

Stephen Paul Beale, 61 and formerly of Moore Avenue, was convicted of 11 counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, nine counts of sexual assault on a child under 16, rape of a child under 13 and one count of prohibited images of a child following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court that concluded on Thursday, May 24.

Beale’s offences date back to the 1980s and 1990s in the Dorset area.

His victims were all aged between five and 14 at the time of the offending. He indecently assaulted his victims on many occasions, the court heard.

Detective Constable Jo Shewbridge, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said Beale’s “despicable offending has had a profound impact on them” and praised the victims’ “immense courage” in attending court to give evidence.

“Firstly, I want to praise the five victims in this case for having the bravery to report these offences and support the investigation and prosecution.

“No sentence will ever compensate for what they have been through, but I hope the conclusion of this case will bring them some closure to help them move forward with their lives, knowing Beale is now behind bars.”

DC Shewbridge added Beale “continued to deny the allegations, but the jury saw through this pretence and found him guilty of all the offences”.

“I also hope that the outcome of this case will give other victims of sexual abuse the confidence to report offences.

“We will investigate all reports of abuse, no matter when they were committed.”

Beale was sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison, plus a one-year licence extension under Section 236A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 for offenders of particular concern.

This extension means that Beale will not be released after serving half of his prison sentence, but his release on licence will be subject to a discretionary release by the Parole Board between the halfway point and the end point of his custodial term.

Beale was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.