John Southworth repeatedly abused six girls aged between six and 11 more than 30 years ago but it was only this year that the offences came to light.

During that time he had worked until retirement as an accountant, been a school governor for 20 years, a Eucharistic minister at a hospital and a church helper.

Judge Brian Lewis said that statements from the victims showed how they had been affected, including one who has had continuing difficulty being hugged because she felt corrupted by what had happened to her.
Judge Lewis told Southworth: "The offences are as serious today as the day they were committed."

Liverpool Crown Court heard that police contacted Southworth, who walks with a stick, in January after allegations emerged of his molesting three girls.

When questioned he confessed that he had also actually abused three other victims as well. Officers then tracked them down and they told how he had indecently touched them many years before, said Michael Jones, prosecuting.

Under the guise of playing, such as tickling them and giving them piggy backs, he indecently touched them on numerous occasions.
Southworth, of Runshaw Avenue, Appley Bridge, Wigan, pleaded guilty to 18 offences of indecent assault between 1967 and 1976.

Oliver Jarvis, defending, said that Southworth had no previous convictions and added: "This is clearly something locked inside him for 33 years, feeling very deep shame and remorse for his actions."
References for him came from various sources including St Peters Church, the Church of the Holy Rosary and St Joseph's in Wrightington, he said.

He had diabetes and walked with a stick after a hip replacement and his wife, who was devastated at his arrest, was in poor health.
"The damage to his reputation and his family cannot be under-estimated," said Mr Jarvis.

Judge Lewis ordered Southworth to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and banned him from being alone with children under 16 for the next five years.