A FORMER babysitter who behaved indecently towards three girls he looked after in Stotfold in the 1990s has been jailed for two years. A judge said Matthew Sadler, now 30 and living in Devon had got on with his life quite happily in the intervening year

A FORMER babysitter who behaved indecently towards three girls he looked after in Stotfold in the 1990s has been jailed for two years.

A judge said Matthew Sadler, now 30 and living in Devon had "got on with his life quite happily" in the intervening years, unlike his three victims who had encountered difficulties while growing up as a consequence of the abuse.

Sadler, now of Newbury Close, Colyton, pleaded not guilty to four charges of indecent assault and three charges of indecency with a child. He was convicted by a jury at Luton Crown Court in February but not sentenced until yesterday (Wednesday)

He was still maintaining his innocence and had shown no remorse, said Judge Gareth Davies.

Patrick Rappo, prosecuting, said that when Sadler was aged between 14 and 16 he babysat for various families from 1991 onwards.

The three girls involved were aged between four and 10.

"Over that time various sexual incidents took place. The oldest girl said something happened virtually every time he babysat. On one occasion he explained it away by saying he was doing a school project," said Mr Rappo.

The prosecution said sometimes he got the girls to touch him. That happened once to the four-year-old who had been sitting happily making daisy chains when he took her into a shed and locked the door.

He was arrested after one girl, who was aged six or seven, told her mother what had happened and the other allegations came to light.

Sadler told the jury he had co-operated fully with the investigation, but was emphatic that nothing had ever happened.

Robert Miekle, defending, said: "He has lived half his life since these allegations with no suggestion whatsoever that he has been any form of risk to any child.

"These may have been the indiscretions of youth and are matters he has put well and truly behind him.

"He has raised large sums of money for charity including more than £4,000 for Childline.

"Waiting for his trial and being convicted has been a terrible punishment."

Judge Davies told Sadler: "All three women described ongoing distress and that was evident from the witness box.

"Your age at the time is relevant and you are now a different person, but the offences are too serious for anything other than a custodial sentence."

Sadler was also banned from working with children, or having unsupervised contact with children for the next 10 years, during which time he must also register as a sex offender.