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A paedophile used his position within the Jehovah's Witnesses to sexually abuse three girls for years - as young as five.



Michael John Hewitt, 71, abused his victims over several decades, starting in the 1980s, at home while they were all under 16.



Two of his victims were aged just five when Hewitt began abusing them at both their homes and his while he was a member of the congregation.



He later sold his home and moved to Fremington, Devon.





Hewitt was jailed for 15 years at Croydon Crown Court on Monday after he was found guilty of eight counts of indecency with children who were all aged under 16 years at the time.





He will be on the sex offenders register for life and have a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order served.



The sick abuser was caught after two of his victims told family members about what had happened last January.



Hewitt was arrested and bailed, but a third victim was identified and came forward when told he was under investigation for two similar offences.



In May 2017, Hewitt was charged with eleven counts of indecency with three girls under 16 years old, but was later acquitted of three offences.





Whilst sentencing Judge Flahive described Hewitt as a significant risk to young children and a dangerous offender.



Detective Constable Janet Williams, the investigating officer from the Met's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said: "The victims were abused by Hewitt at a very early age.



"Only when they were older were they able to understand what Hewitt subjected them to. Hewitt abused his position of trust to exploit the young girls for his own satisfaction.



"I would like to pay tribute to the victims who had the courage to report these distressing crimes to police.



"I hope today's conviction gives the victims a measure of comfort and closure."

An NPSCC spokesperson said: “Hewitt abused the trust placed in him in the worst possible way. He may have thought he had got away with his abhorrent actions but thanks to his victims’ bravery in speaking out about their horrific ordeal justice has finally caught up with him.

“We all have a duty to protect children from harm and report abuse when it happens. To help keep children safe in faith settings and places of worship, the NSPCC has created a series of films. They can be viewed via the website www.nspcc.org.uk”

