The victims of a man who was found guilty of 13 serious sexual offences have today been praised for their bravery after he was jailed.

Alan Claxton, 46, was yesterday sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of a catalogue of offences against young people.

The trial, which started at Norwich Crown Court last Monday, heard that the offences took place over a decade in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Claxton, of Coltsfoot Road, Horsford, committed a catalogue of historic offences at several different addresses in the Norwich area against three female victims and one male victim, all aged under 16 at the time of the incidents.

The offences include rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, gross indecency and one further charge of ill treatment of a child or young person and the victims were aged as young as five when the abuse began.

Det Con Nicola Clarke, from Norfolk police's vulnerable people directorate, who led the investigation, hailed the victims for their bravery in coming forward to give evidence.

She said: 'The victims in this particular case have been amazingly brave to come forward and discuss abuse which, even though it is historic, is obviously still having an impact on their current lives.

'Alan Claxton took advantage of very young children and abused their trust in him.

'This case underlines the fact that if a victim of abuse contacts us and wishes to discuss their situation, we will always endeavour to conduct a thorough investigation where possible and whenever it took place, and bring to justice those who abuse and mistreat children and other vulnerable persons who have the right to be protected.'

Claxton was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Norfolk police's vulnerable people directorate deals with allegations of abuse towards some of society's most vulnerable groups including, children, vulnerable adults, and victims of domestic abuse, and undertakes investigations into crimes including harassment, serious sexual offences, human trafficking, vice offences and hate crimes.

Specially-trained staff provide close support to victims throughout any investigation to ensure their needs are recognised and addressed.

In addition to dealing with vulnerable groups, the vulnerable people directorate is also committed to public protection, monitoring registered sex offenders and taking necessary action with any offender that fails to comply with legislation.

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