A Chudleigh man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against children.

Nigel Samuel, 61, of Market Way, Chudleigh, was sentenced to nine years in prison at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday 24 August and has been put on the sex offenders' register for life.

A jury found Samuel guilty of two counts of sexual assault against a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child into sexual activity against two other children.

The offences happened in the 2010s and involved three victims. He was found not guilty of nine other charges.

The court heard how Samuel had invited teenage girls to parties at his home and treated them like "sexual playthings".

Upon sentencing, Judge Neil Davey, QC, told Samuel: "The personal statements of the three girls have been read in open court and they show that the psychological damage you caused was significant.

"It was all caused when you decided to treat these young girls as your own sexual playthings."

DC Tina Worthington said: "Nigel Samuel groomed his victims and then took the opportunity to exploit them. The offences involved three victims, and all were at a young and vulnerable age at the time of the offences.

"I would like to thank the victims for their incredible bravery in coming forward and reporting this to us. We hope this sentencing can provide them with a sense of closure.

"We would like to urge anyone suffering in silence to come forward.

"It is never too late to report a crime and as this case shows, we are committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and will do everything we can to seek justice."

Devon and Cornwall Police has directed the public to the following helplines if they require help or assistance relating to sexual abuse.

• National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
• Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626
• Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Independent Sexual Advisor Service: 03458 121212
• Victim Care Unit: 01392 475900
• Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services: 01392 204 174

It also said to always call 999 in an emergency and in a non-emergency to visit www.dc.police.uk/contact.