John Murden 67

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Police have paid tribute to the "brave" victims of a notorious sex offender who subjected them to "completely abhorrent" abuse.

John Murden, 66, "preyed on the vulnerabilities" of two children to satisfy his own sexual deviancies, officers said.

Murden, of Hedon Road, Hull, was already serving a 14-year sentence received in 2016, after he pleaded guilty to sexual offences against another two children. On that occasion, a Hull judge described him as a depraved man who "sought to sexually corrupt" young girls.

Now, Murden has been jailed for a further 12 years after pleading guilty to two counts of rape of a child, two counts of indecency with a child and eleven counts of sexual offences against a child. Doncaster Crown Court heard he would also have to spend eight years on licence when released from prison.

Detective Inspector Adamson, of Humberside Police's Protecting Vulnerable People unit said: “Murden took advantage and preyed on two children’s vulnerabilities to satisfy his own sexual deviancies, without them realising at the time that what he was subjecting them to was completely abhorrent.

“I know how difficult it can be to take that first step to come forward, and I would like to commend those affected, and their families, for their bravery. Whilst the outcome at court doesn’t take away the pain they have suffered, I hope that a sense of justice is being felt to know Murden has been locked up for the rest of his life.

“We take all reports of sexual offences seriously and want to reassure anyone who may have experienced anything like this – at any point in their lives – that when you’re ready to come forward and talk, you will be listened to and supported.”

Murden's latest sentence will be served concurrently with his jail term imposed in 2016. Seven years ago, he pleaded guilty to four indecent assaults, two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, sexual activity with a child, and three other sex offences against a child. His offending dated back several decades.

One victim had been left so traumatised that she attempted suicide, Hull Crown Court heard in March 2016. When Murden was arrested and interviewed by police, he told officers: “Alcohol makes you do daft things doesn’t it, when you’re drunk.”

Sentencing him on that occasion, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC (now KC) told him: “John Murden, you are a depraved man and your culpability for the crimes you have committed is very high. You sought to sexually corrupt each of these women when they were young girls.”

Humberside Police say anyone who has been the victim of rape, sexual assault, or any sexual offence, or who knows someone who has, can report offences directly through the non-emergency number 101, or by calling 999 if in immediate danger.