Man who sexually abused two children jailed

Det Con Annette Renwick said Wayne Freeman had abused his victims over an "incredibly long period of time"

A man who sexually abused two children over a 17-year period has been jailed for 10 years and given an indefinite restraining and sexual harm prevention order.

Wayne Freeman, 43, sexually assaulted and touched his two victims inappropriately between August 2006 and April 2023 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Freeman, of Somers Court, Wisbech, was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Tuesday and must serve a further year on licence.

He was found guilty of five counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration and two counts of sexual assault on a female.

The abuse came to light when one of the victims reported it to police.

Det Con Annette Renwick said Freeman had abused his victims over an "incredibly long period of time".

She said: "The devastation this abuse has caused them and the impact on their wider families is immense. It is only right a lengthy jail sentence was handed down.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victims who showed bravery in reporting the abuse and then having the courage to give evidence in court. They have showed dignity and resilience throughout the process, for which I commend them.

"Child sexual abuse can cause serious mental health issues in victims, and we will relentlessly pursue offenders and bring them to justice, irrespective of whether the abuse is recent or historical."