A YORKLEY man has been jailed after being convicted of sex attacks on two boys in the 1970s.

Raymond Clarke, who is 73, was found guilty at Swindon Crown Court of five indecent assaults and one other serious sexual offence on the two under-age teenagers who he knew. Clarke had denied the offences.

He abused one boy, who was around 15-years-old at the time, once while the second victim, who was also around 15 – was abused a number of times.

The attacks took place in Swindon – where Clarke is originally from – over a number of years during the decade.

Detective Constable Nick Bishop, who was in charge of the case for Wiltshire Police, said: "During his court appearance Raymond Clarke referred to this type of case as people jumping on the fashionable bandwagon.

"I can assure everyone that this is not a fashionable bandwagon, this is something which happened to real people.

"I want to thank the victims in this case who were extremely brave to come forward and report these crimes in the first place.

"My message to anyone who feels they have been a victim of abuse is this: please come forward and be assured that the police will investigate thoroughly and take any claims seriously.

"Please call us on 101 where you will be put in touch with a dedicated officer who specialises in incidents like these."