A WALLASEY man has been jailed for 12-and-a-half years this afternoon after admitting historic sex abuse on three young boys.

White haired Thomas Pope, who is now 69, had laced coffee with whisky for two of his victims and showed them pornographic magazines before abusing them.

He showed no emotion as he was led to the cells to begin his first prison sentence.

Jailing him Judge David Aubrey, QC, said the offences demonstrated his "predatory and determined instincts in the corruption and intimidation of the young boys."

Pope, of Barrington Road, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to a total of 24 charges including indecent assault and indecency involving the boys in the 1970s in Wallasey and Bebington.

Janet Reaney, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that one of the victims was just six years old when Pope began abusing him and the others were aged eight and nine. The offences spanned a five-year period.

Judge Aubrey said that Pope "must have created an atmosphere among his victims of fear, anxiety and trepidation.

"You took away their innocence but you have done more than that.

"You have scorned each one of your victims emotionally and psychologically for the rest of their lives."

The court heard that tragically one of the victims has died.

Simon Mills, defending, said that Pope has health problems and has expressed shame and remorse.

Judge Aubrey ordered Pope to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and the judge imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Rebecca Robinson, from Merseyside Police's Unity team said: "The victims in this case have been extremely brave in coming forward and reporting these historic offences to police.

"Specially trained officers and lawyers in Merseyside Police’s Unity team have been by their side throughout the investigation and we hope that today’s sentence gives them some sense of justice.

"Time should never be a barrier to obtaining justice and as a force, we take every report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent.

"Merseyside Police has dedicated officers within the force's Unity Team, who are trained to both thoroughly investigate allegations and make sure that those reporting them are properly supported.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are properly and thoroughly investigated."