An 87-year-old man has been jailed after admitting child sex offences dating back to the 1960s.

Paul Johnson, of Mount Street in King's Lynn, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing last month to 12 separate counts of indecent assault.

It followed an investigation carried out by specialist officers from Norfolk Constabulary's Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU).

The charges related to abuse which took place between 1969 and 1980 whilst he was a music teacher at various schools in London and Norfolk.

Johnson - then aged in his late 30s and 40s - sexually assaulted four boys, aged from 13 to 16, over a period of 11 years.

Johnson's website says he was also composer in residence for a year at the Catholic shrine, at Walsingham, in 1965 and worked for a period as a children's TV producer at Anglia TV.

At Norwich Crown Court Johnson was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Kim Taylor, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, who has been overseeing the investigation, welcomed the result saying: 'This was an awful case where Johnson took complete advantage of his position of trust to encourage his victims to allow him to carry out sex offences.

'By pleading guilty, Johnson has prevented the victims having to relive their ordeal through a trial. However, I would like to commend them all for the bravery they have shown and we hope this conviction and sentence provides some level of closure.

'Although these offences were committed many years ago, this sentence highlights that no matter how long ago an offence or offences took place, we will carry out a full and thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

'We have dedicated officers who are specially trained to undertake difficult and emotive investigations on a daily basis.

'We would urge anyone who has been abused or sexually assaulted to come forward, safe in the knowledge that Norfolk Constabulary, together with our partners within child protection, will provide help and support, and do all we can to identify, charge and bring those responsible before the courts.'