A man from New Malden has been sent to jail for 22 years after sexually abusing two girls aged under 13, while presenting himself as a "respectable family man."

Mark Bolton, 55, was sentenced to the prison term on Friday, November 5 at Kingston Crown Court and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

At a trial two months ago he was found guilty of five counts of raping a child, two counts of attempted rape of a child, seven counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of assault by penetration of a child and one count of sexual activity with a child.

He was also found guilty of two counts of causing a child to engage in or watch sexual activity and one count each of taking indecent photographs of a child and voyeurism.

Mr Bolton, previously known as Dermot Bolton, was known to his victims and their families.

Police found out about his crimes last year when one of the victims spoke to a member of staff at their school.

The school contacted the child's mother, who in turn called police on December 1, 2020.

An urgent police investigation was launched and Bolton was arrested by Met officers the same day.

Detective Constable Katy Waddington who led the investigation by the Met's South West BCU said: "The details of this case were some of the most distressing I have heard in six years investigating child abuse.

"Mark Bolton sexually abused the children having groomed them and ultimately secure their continued silence.

"He used covert hidden cameras and his knowledge of IT to further his sexual interest in children all the while positioning himself as a respectable family man.

"I continue to be in awe of victims who come forward to face their abusers, even more so in cases where the abuse was by someone they trusted.

"There are not enough words to describe the bravery and dignity shown.

"I hope the children and their relatives will find some peace moving forward, and the lengthy prison sentence will reassure them as they begin to rebuild their lives."