Wairarapa man jailed for historical sex offences

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A Wairarapa man has been jailed for more than four years for historical sex offences against two girls.

Kevin James Liddington, 60, was sentenced today in the Wellington District Court on six charges including sexual violation and indecent assault.

His offending against two victims occurred between 1980 and 1990.

Prosecutor Stephanie Bishop told the court his offending against the first victim started when she was aged 5 or 6 until she was 14, and the second victim when she was 14 years' old until a year later.

She said the offences were "intimate and degrading" and were abuse of trust.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said his client had maintained his innocence so therefore could not offer any remorse.

Liddington had already suffered "quite substantially" because he had been separated from his family and friends, he said.

Judge Jan Kelly said the victim impact statements were "some of the most insightful and reflective victim statements that I have read".

The first victim said the offending had affected her whole life. The second victim spoke about the breach of trust.

Judge Kelly said aggravating factors of the crimes included the victims' young age, the extent of the offending and the long period of time over which it was committed.

She sentenced him to four and a half years on all of the charges.