A MAN has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted for 22 counts of sexual abuse against under-age girls.

Alan Bright, 79, of Almond Way, Colchester, had denied the charges of rape, indecent assault, and inciting under-age girls to commit gross indecency. The abuse spanned from approximately 1970 to 1990.

Having been convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, he was jailed today and also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Patricia Lynch, QC, described Bright as cunning and manipulative and said he had taken advantage of his victims.

Investigating officer DC Cornelius Bowen, of Essex Police North Hub Child Abuse Investigation Team, was commended by the judge for his work on the case, which he had worked on since the offences came to light in May 2013.

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Bowen said: "Bright has never shown any remorse or admitted his crimes.

"He put his victims through hell and the distressing ordeal of giving evidence and undergoing cross-examination in court.

"It has personally been one of the hardest cases I have dealt with.

"I am happy with the sentence handed down to Bright and just hope that when he sits in his prison cell, he remembers the ordeal he put those girls through.”

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