A DORSET man has been found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls in cases more than four decades apart.

Basil Burton who is a former gypsy liaison officer for Dorset County Council, was found guilty of three counts of attacking the two girls – who were both under 13 at the time – in separate incidents in the mid-1960s and late 2000s.

Burton, of Dugdell Close, Ferndown, was convicted at Southampton Crown Court of two counts of indecency with a child and another of sexually assaulting a second child.

Judge Peter Henry sentenced Burton to 15 months for the indecency counts and six months for the sexual assault, to run concurrently, but suspended for two years.

He ordered Burton to be supervised by the probation service for the next 12 months.

Burton is also a former fireman and former head of the National Romany Rights Association.

The court was told that Burton has prostate cancer but is refusing treatment.

Judge Henry heard Burton was not eligible for sex offenders’ treatment, because he continues to deny guilt, and if jailed for a short time would be released without supervision.

He said he would suspend the term “to ensure you don’t commit any further offences”.