A FORMER Machynlleth teacher has been jailed for 10 years after he admitted indecently assaulting 24 young girls.

Gordon Fleming, 66, was jailed today by a judge at Swansea Crown Court for the offences against the girls when they were aged under 13, in historic cases.

It had emerged that Fleming had been jailed for three years in 1992 for similar offences against different girls.

Fleming, now of 1 The Mews, Burma Road, Park Hall in Oswestry, was also registered as a sex offender.

A woman who was abused by him said: “I am relieved that Fleming pleaded guilty and spared me and other survivors the pain and distress of a protracted court case. While it cannot change the past, I am glad we have now seen justice done and hope that it will go some way to giving us the peace to move on with our lives.

“I hope that by speaking out, others who have suffered abuse by those who were supposed to be in a position of trust will feel they can come forward and that justice can be done, even after so many years.”

The woman is now working with specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to secure a settlement to fund access to the professional help and support she requires to cope with the ordeal.

Chief Inspector Steve Davies, who led the investigation, said: “This is a significant custodial sentence passed down to a perpetrator of non-recent sexual offending. The sentence recognises the control and long-lasting harm caused to victims by an individual who betrayed his position of trust to sexually abuse children.

“I would like to thank all those who were affected for their courage in coming forward which led to the sentence today”

“We continue to work with our partners to make sure the best level of support is given to survivors of sexual abuse.”

An NSPCC Wales spokesman said: “Fleming has caused incalculable harm to his numerous victims, abusing his position as a teacher to target children in his care for sexual exploitation.

“His victims should be commended for coming forward and having the bravery to report what happened to them in the past.

“It is vitally important that victims of non-recent child sexual abuse know that they will be listened to and that justice can be served.”