A Dorchester man who sexually abused five girls has been jailed for 14 years.

Christopher Symes, aged 58 and of Lorne Road in Dorchester, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today (Tuesday, December 21) after being found guilty at an earlier trial of eight offences of sexual assault, two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault of a child under 13.

The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child, two offences of sexual assault and one of taking indecent photographs of a child.

He was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison, with an extended licence period of a further three years.

The offences involved five different victims and occurred between 1984 and 2012.

One of Symes' victims made a disclosure to police in December 2017, claiming she had been sexually abused by the defendant, with the offending first occurring when she was aged around nine or 10 years old.

Following enquiries by officers, further victims were identified and spoken to, who also reported being abused by the defendant as children.

Symes was arrested and his phone was seized for examination. On it were a number of indecent images of one of his victims.

Detective Constable Georgina Boast, of Dorset Police's Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "I want to praise the victims in this case for having the courage to come forward to support this investigation and help secure the conviction of Christopher Symes for his despicable offending.

"Thanks to their evidence, we have secured the conviction of a serial offender – who abused several victims over a number of years. Symes is now facing a significant term in jail and I hope this case encourages others to have the strength to come forward in the knowledge that they will be supported and with our help we can bring sexual abusers to justice."

How to report child abuse

Dorset Police: For non-urgent reports, or to make an enquiry, please go to www.dorset.police.uk where you can pass on the details of your concerns to us using the online enquiry form. You can also email [email protected] or call 101. If you believe a child is in immediate danger please dial 999.

Crimestoppers: Call anonymously on 0800 555 111

Local Children's Social Care:

The Shores - Dorset SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) 01202 552 056

Dorset Council (Children's Advice and Duty Service) 01305 228866

• Child Online Safety Advice: https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/crime-prevention-help-advice/cyber-crime/child-online-safety/
• NWG: http://www.nwgnetwork.org/
• Barnardos: http://www.barnardos.org.uk
• NSPCC 0808 800 5000, [email protected], www.nspcc.org.uk/childsexualexploitation
• National Helpline for male victims of CSE: 07808 863 662
• UK safer internet centre website: www.saferinternet.org.uk
• CEOP resources suitable for parents and children of different ages: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
• Concerned about your thoughts or behaviour? Visit: www.stopitnow.org.uk
• Child Online Safety: www.internetmatters.org