A paedophile who manipulated his victims with guilt and fear has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years for a string of attacks on girls as young as six-years-old.

Worcester Park man Michael Hopkins, 63, abused four Kingston schoolgirls aged between six- and 13-years-old between December 2002 and December 2009.

He was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault against children at after a trial at Kingston Crown Court in August and was jailed at the same court on Friday.

Detective Constable Virginia Condren from the Metropolitan Police child abuse investigation team said: "Michael Hopkins has been found guilty of subjecting four children to years of abuse.

"He was able to manipulate and control them for many years.

"He was able to instil fear and guilt into them all, thus ensuring his odious crimes went undiscovered."

During the trial, jurors heard he was a heavy drinker and flirt who was hoping to groom children.

A video interview of one of the victims described Hopkins regularly groping her breasts and touching her genitals.

She also told the interviewer she had called Childline to report the abuse but the person had thought she was "taking the mick".

Hopkins, who lives in Church Road, Worcester Park, has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Condren added: "Michael Hopkins put them through the ordeal of having to relive details of their abuse and now faces a custodial sentence during which he will be unable to prey on other children.

"I can only commend the victims for their fortitude and maturity throughout. This has been a complex investigation and a three year battle to seek the justice they deserve.

"It has been an emotional roller-coaster for them and those closest to them. Their morality and strength should be an encouragement to children to speak out against their abusers. I can only hope that this verdict and sentence serve as building blocks for them to rebuild their lives."