A HEREFORD man has been jailed for 10 years for non-recent child sexual offences.

Shawn Shellam, 30, of Nolan Road, Hereford, was today sentenced at Worcester Crown Court to 10 years in jail for non-recent of child sexual offences that took place in Leominster.

Shellam pleaded guilty to one count of gross indecency with a child under 14 years old and 13 counts of indecent assault of a child under 14 years old at Worcester Crown Court on February 27.

The sentencing comes following a West Mercia Police investigation into allegations of sexual offences that happened between 2000 and 2002 when the two victims were aged between four and six, and the defendant was aged 12 to 14.

Detective Constable Mariann Wood said: "The nature of these offences have had an incredibly damaging effect on both victims and I hope that today's sentence gives them some form of closure.

"These were despicable crimes against two very young children who were robbed of their childhood and who now, as adults, continue to suffer with the memory of what Shellam inflicted on them.

"I would like to praise the support and courage of the victims throughout this investigation and hope that members of the public are reassured that we take all reports of sexual offences very seriously, irrespective of when they took place, and will ensure that they are thoroughly investigated."

Police said they did not have a custody image of Shellam.