A Keswick man has been jailed for 8 years for a string of 20 child sex offences.

Duncan James Waterhouse, 45, of Coleridge Court, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today.

He had previously admitted 12 counts of intentionally touching an underage child between 2012 and 2016, four counts of causing an underage child to look at a sexual image, two counts of causing an underage child to watch a person engaging in sexual activity and two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child.

The charges relate to four victims.

Waterhouse will serve five years on licence after being released from prison.

He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and given a indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Paul Scougal said: "Today justice has been served against Waterhouse, a predatory paedophile whose actions were utterly perverse and deplorable.

"The victims in this case will have to live with the memories of his actions and I would like to thank them and their parents for their bravery. Our thoughts continue to be with them.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward and report them. We take all complaints seriously, and they will be investigated professionally and sensitively."

Isla Chilton, senior crown prosecutor in the North West, said: "Duncan Waterhouse today begins a prison sentence for carrying out sexual abuse on impressionable young girls.

"The sexual abuse of young people strips away their innocence and their trust in adults who they should be able to look up to as future role models.

"It has long lasting impacts on their lives, not only at the time but well into their adult lives and could have significant effects on all their future relationships.

“The four victims have shown immense bravery in coming forward and taking a stand against their abuser, which resulted in Waterhouse pleading guilty to the offences he faced.

"I sincerely hope that following today’s sentence, they can begin to move on with their lives in the knowledge that justice has been served."