A 75-year-old man has been jailed for eight years after he was found guilty of historic sexual assault and indecency with a child.

Donald Chivers, of Keevil, near Trowbridge, was given a total sentence of 16 years following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court which ended on Monday January 20.

He must serve eight years in prison and the following eight years on licence.

Chivers’ offending started in 1996 when his two victims were both under the age of eight.

The abuse continued repeatedly for approximately five years.

The two victims reported the historic offences to police back in 2018 and an extensive investigation was carried out.

Det Con Natalie George said: “As the Judge commented at the conclusion of the trial, the victims in this case have received lifelong psychological harm. I hope that they can now come to terms with what they have been put through at the hands of Chivers.

“The length of time between the offending and the time of reporting these offences has been a difficult journey for the victims and it is through their strength and courage to talk about what happened to them that the defendant has now been jailed and cannot cause further harm in the community.

“Hopefully this case sends a positive message to victims of sexual abuse and historic sexual abuse that defendants can be found guilty and sentenced by the courts despite the time that has passed.”

To report sexual abuse please phone police on 101 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Victims can also seek support and counselling from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) based at the New Swindon Sanctuary - they can be contacted on the 24-hour helpline 0808 168 0024.

A spokesperson for the NSPCC in the South West of England said: “Chivers subjected his victims to horrific abuse for a number of years, but they have shown great courage in coming forward and played a crucial role in bringing him to justice.

“This case illustrates that survivors will be listened to when they speak out, no matter how many years have passed.”