A church-going paedophile who abused two girls 20 years ago stood with his head bowed as a judge jailed him for 14 years.

Evangelical Christian worshipper Keith Gasson, of Wefley Drive, Egham, was found guilty of abusing the youngsters at Cardiff Crown Court.

The victims - primary school pupils at the time - waited 20 years to bring Gasson, a 67-year-old retired civil servant, to justice.

At the time Gasson, a married man with a family of his own, lived in Cardiff and was a staunch member of Heath Evangelical Church.

One of his victims, now a professional with children, only felt able to go to the police after years of counselling.

The second found the courage after seeing a report of that case in the South Wales Echo newspaper.

Both had broken down in court, describing how Gasson, now living in Egham, forced them into sex acts which for one ended in rape.

One said her parents encouraged contact with him and his family at the time because he was such a good and devout man.

Sue Ferrier, prosecuting, said: "He hid behind a cloak, an apparent strict church-goer with strong moral values."

The victim said: "I can still remember the smell, the horrible smell of him.

"My parents were the type who turned off the TV if there was even kissing on it - I couldn't tell them.

"I felt so ashamed and disgusted with myself.

"My nan used to love to hear me singing the Lord's Prayer for her but because of him it only became a horrible memory. I knew he said it after doing those things to me."

Sentencing Gasson on Monday, Judge Phillip Richards said: "You used your respectability as a shield to commit horrific offences, behaving in the most appalling way towards them for your own sexual gratification.

"It has had a huge impact on them and it is doubtful they will ever fully recover.

"I make it clear to you and others who indulge in this type of offending the sentencing will be severe."