A TADLEY man has been sentenced to 12 years in jail having admitted to multiple sexual offences against children.

Daren Jones, 48, of Silchester Road, Little London, pleaded guilty to 29 counts of sexual offences during a hearing at Winchester Crown Court last month.

The offences include sexual assaults on two boys under the age of 13 that took place in the Tadley and Reading areas between 2015 and 2017.

Jones was sentenced today at Winchester Crown Court.

The incidents were reported to the police in December 2017, and following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary, officers tracked down Jones to a hotel in Brighton, Sussex, on Wednesday, 27 December where he was arrested.

The court was told Jones had left the United States in 2008 while on bail, having been charged with serious sexual offences against children.

Jones used the name Simon Jones to live “under the radar” until his arrest, the court heard.

After the hearing, investigating officer detective constable Sarah Moyce-Phillips, of Hampshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “We hope that today’s sentence provides some form of closure to the victims and their families for what has been an extremely difficult time.

“Once the offences came to light, officers worked tirelessly to make sure Jones was arrested and could be brought to court to face justice for what he did.

“We hope that the sentence given today will give confidence to others who have suffered abuse of this nature.”

Judge Jane Miller sentenced Jones to 12 years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years. He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order until further order.

If anyone has concerns about this case or any similar case should call police on 101, quoting 44170480287.