A "SEXUAL predator" who abused two children has been jailed.

Martyn Woods, 72, of Woodford Avenue, Lowton, was sentenced on Friday at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester to 14 years after pleading guilty to 12 counts of assaulting a child.

Between 1962 and 1976, Woods repeatedly sexually abused a young girl, starting from the age of four until the last occasion when she was 16.

The abuse took place at addresses in Bolton, Radcliffe and Rawtenstall.

In 1976, Woods also sexually assaulted a 13-year-old boy as he lay in bed.

Last year, one of Woods' victims bravely come forward to tell the police about his past offences. 

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Debra Gallagher of GMP’s Bury borough said: “Martyn Woods is a depraved individual whose abuse of two young children left them suffering severe emotional trauma that they still feel to this day.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he is a sexual predator who thought that he had gotten away with his sickening abuse after so many years had passed.

“However, thanks to the courage shown by one of his victims in coming forward to speak to police, Woods has now been brought to justice and a dangerous man has been imprisoned.”

Wood will be on a one-year extended license after his prison sentence and will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.