A 51-year-old who sexually abused two young girls was jailed for 11 years - 13 years after the abuse took place.

Gary Jennings, who is also known as Christian De Vriess, received a nine-year jail term on Friday, with a further two years on licence because the judge considered him to be a risk to children.

Jennings, of Martins House, Upper Lattimore Road, St Albans, was convicted at St Albans crown court of 14 charges of indecent assault and indecency with a child. He was also convicted of causing actual bodily harm to one of the girls, whom he hit with a belt.

The attacks took place in Hemel Hempstead between 2000 and 2003 when one girl was aged between seven and 10, and the other four and seven.

Patricia May, defending, said Jennings continued to deny abusing the girls. She said he had no other sexual convictions.

Judge Andrew Bright QC told him: "You pose a high risk of serious harm to children. I am passing an extended sentence to protect the public and in particular young girls.

"The psychological damage you caused have been set out in the victim personal statement of one of them.

"You will serve two-thirds of the nine-year sentence before the parole board can consider your release. You will only be released if the parole board considers it is safe to do so. You will be on licence to the end of the 11-year sentence."

Jennings must register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.