A DEPRAVED pensioner has been locked up for three years for sexually abusing young children.

Naval architect Bruce Norris admitted seven counts of sexual assault on two girls aged just eight and three.

Southampton Crown Court heard how the 69-year-old, who had been given a probationary order for a similar offence in 1994, carried out some of the abuse in December and on other occasions in Cornwall.

But eventually one of the victims described what was happening to her and in police interview he admitted his crimes and owned up to further acts he had carried out on the three-year-old.

In mitigation, the court was told how Norris had shown remorse for his action and had admitted the offences at the earliest possible opportunity.

The court also heard how Norris was experiencing stress through his job and was travelling abroad frequently.

Norris sat with his head bowed while his sentence was read out in court yesterday.

Judge Tom Longbotham told him: “You knew exactly what you were doing – you have committed this type of offence before. They are very serious acts”.

Norris, of Coriander Drive, Totton, was handed a three-year jail term and a sexual offences prevention order banning him from making contact with his young victims. He was also barred from working with children.