March 2016 Man jailed for abusing girls A 73-year-old man has been jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two girls in the 1980s. Clifford Pardon of Buxton Road, North Walsham, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court by Judge Bacon QC after previously being found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault. The offences took place in Norfolk throughout the 1980s and involved two female victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, under the age of 14 at the time. Norfolk Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit launched an enquiry after being contacted by the victims in late October 2014. This led to the arrest of Pardon in November 2014. During questioning by detectives Pardon denied all allegations put to him. It was mentioned in court he has never shown any remorse. Detective Constable Graeme Poole of the Child Abuse Unit, said: “It was an incredibly brave decision for the victims to come forward and speak to police after such a long period of time. “The fact Pardon then pleaded not guilty meant the victims had to relive their ordeal in court which took an enormous amount of courage. Both women have had to live with the consequences of Pardon’s actions for some 30 years. “His actions have had a profound impact on both the victims and we hope such a sentence will give them a sense of closure and assist them in moving on more positively with her lives.” Pardon was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and banned from working with children for life.