A RETIRED police officer has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing children in the 1960s and 70s.

Griffith Barker, 79, of Primrose Lane, Pant, near Oswestry, Shropshire, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week of 23 counts of abusing two children.

Barker shook his head from side to side when the first guilty verdicts were returned, then stood with his head bowed in the dock.

Last week the court heard he abused his victims in a “sustained and systematic” manner while living in Knotty Ash.

One of Barker’s alleged victims, who is now a middle-aged man, approached police last year to make a complaint.

He described various forms of sexual abuse taking place between Barker and himself, when he was between the ages of six and 12, including being made to lie naked on top of a girl he claimed Barker also abused, although he was too young to be able to have sex with her.

Taking the stand last week the former Merseyside sergeant categorically denied the allegations of gross indecency, indecent assault, indecency with a child and attempted rape.