A PAEDOPHILE who sexually abused two young children in the 1970s, at times threatening them with a knife, has been jailed for 11 years.

Nigel Walker, of Arbella Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, was set to stand trial for a string of offences including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against his two victims.

On the second day of his trial at Oxford Crown Court last week the 60-year old had a change of heart and admitted nine counts and sexually abusing the children at addresses in Oxfordshire.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday the court heard how he had made threats of violence against his child victims - neither of whom can be named for legal reasons, and would carry a sheathed blade with him.

Detailing the extent of the abuse prosecutor Matthew Walsh said that Walker performed multiple sex acts on the girls during the period of abuse and had raped them.

He said that Walker had employed 'cruelty, bullying and exerted his greater age' and added: "He used violence towards them and the consequences of that was they were scared of him.

"He threatened them with a knife [...] described as eight inches long and one and half inches wide, being kept in a leather sheath."

In mitigation, Walker's defence team said that he had been young at the time of the offences and had been 'immature' for his age.

Sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb jailed Walker for a total of 11 years and he will serve an extended period on licence for two years.