A MAN was jailed for five and a half years for sexually abusing several young children.

George Lincoln, 57, of Berkeley Crescent, Harehills, Leeds, was imprisoned after a jury at Bradford Crown Court convicted him of the offences, some of which were committed in Bradford.

Lincoln, who worked in the demolition industry, was sentenced on a video link to HMP Leeds where he was remanded.

Judge Sophie McKone said he had shown no remorse or empathy towards his young victims.

He had previous convictions, including serving a jail sentence for burglary, but nothing for sexual offences.

Rodney Ferm said in mitigation that Lincoln was a hardworking man in the demolition industry. He was catching up with his education in custody and had no intention of returning to this area on his release.

Judge McKone said Lincoln will serve two thirds of his sentence in prison before he is released on licence.

She made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order without limit of time.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Joanne Besford, of West Yorkshire Police’s Bradford Safeguarding Unit, said: “Lincoln committed serious sexual offences. He is someone who poses a risk of significant harm to children."

Det Con Besford said the impact upon the victims had been profound.

"However, I hope the sentence today brings some comfort to the victims and their families, whose bravery should be commended," she added.

“I would like to encourage any other victims of both recent and non-recent sexual abuse to come forward and report these matters to police in the confidence that they will be investigated thoroughly, no matter how much time has passed.

“Be assured that we are here to listen and that your case will be treated with the upmost sensitivity.”