Paedophile pensioner John Hancock is awaiting sentence after admitting a gruesome catalogue of child abuse.Hancock admitted a host of horrific crimes committed against three young girls over a seven-year period up to 1998.

Paedophile pensioner John Hancock is awaiting sentence after admitting a gruesome catalogue of child abuse.

Hancock admitted a host of horrific crimes committed against three young girls over a seven-year period up to 1998.

The 75-year-old pervert, who now lives in Alford, Lincolnshire, murmured a barely audible guilty plea as each of the charges was read out at Ipswich Crown Court.

All nine offences were committed in Suffolk.

Hancock denied a further three charges, but Lynn Griffin, prosecuting, said the Crown did not intend to pursue them.

The court heard Hancock forced the girls to perform a number of different sex acts and performed acts on them.

But Mrs Griffin said he stopped just short of actual rape.

She then past a letter to the judge revealing the impact Hancock's actions had on the girls and their family members, none of whom can be identified for legal reasons.

Matthew Miffin, defending, said Hancock had previously been a man of good character and had led an "unblemished life" before the events in question.

His Honour Judge John Holt ordered pre-sentence reports and sent Hancock back to Norwich prison for a three-week wait before sentence.