A MAN who committed a series of serious child sex assaults in Tilbury has been jailed for five years.

Thurrock Nub News reported last month on the trial of Jason Beadle who was found guilty of the serious offences which took place in Tilbury between 2017 and 2018.

The 34 year-old, of Dover Road, Northfleet, had denied the charges but was found guilty in a trial where the victims' evidence was heard for the first time via a pre-recorded interview so they didn't have to go through the ordeal of giving evidence in person.

The five year sentence was handed out when Beadle once again appeared at the Basildon court.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dominic Greenham, from the Essex Police West Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "No child should suffer the ordeal Jason Beadle subjected his victim to and I want to praise their courage in coming forward and their bravery during the investigation.

"Beadle abused them for his own sexual gratification and will now spend the foreseeable future behind bars.

"These investigations are often complex and sensitive but we have specialist officers to carry out enquiries and support victims."

Detective Superintendent Neil Pudney, from the Essex Crime and Public Protection Command, said: "This case is a real landmark for Essex Police as it was the first where we used this new measure and I think it is going to provide real benefits to victims of crime.

"It improves the quality of evidence we can put forward to a trial but, more importantly, means a vulnerable victim does not have to go through the ordeal of giving evidence in a court room.

"Better quality evidence increases the chance of a conviction, and therefore justice for the victim.

"And giving evidence at an actual trial can be a stressful and intimidating prospect, especially for vulnerable victims or witnesses so having this measure in place which means their evidence can be heard without them having to stand up in court means we can better support victims.

"This was the first case where we have used this measure but it certainly is not the last."