A 77-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempting to cause or incite the sexual exploitation of a child.

In July 2018, Stephen Smith, of Highfield Way, Hazlemere, sexually assaulted two boys, one who was aged 16 at the time and another who was aged 17 by touching them inappropriately.

He also offered the 16-year-old boy payment in return for sexual favours and told him not to tell his parents about this.

These offences occurred in Hughenden Valley and Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

In May 2019, Smith sexually assaulted another 17-year-old boy by touching him inappropriately. This offence occurred in Thame, Oxfordshire.

He was charged with the offences in January and May this year.

He was convicted and sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday (November 1).

Smith was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will beplaced on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Rachael Peddie, based at High Wycombe police station, said: “Smith gained the trust of his victims and then abused this trust by taking the opportunity to sexually assault them.

“It is thanks to these boys’ bravery that he has now been sentenced to prison for his crimes, and I would like to thank them for their courage.

“The sentence reflects the hard work carried out by Force CID to bring Smith to justice and demonstrates that offences of this nature should not and will not be tolerated.

“I would urge anybody that has been a victim of a sexual offence to report it to the police.

“You will be listened to, there is support and help available and wherever possible, offenders will be prosecuted.”