A paedophile who sexually assaulted girls-all under the age of 14-over 30 years ago has been jailed for seven years.

During the late 1970's and 1980's Zafar Iqbal, 61, of Slough Lane, Kingsbury assaulted three young girls at an address in Peckham, he was convicted of 25 counts of indecent assault and sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

At the sentencing on Monday last week (June 9), Iqbal-a chief officer for a charity- was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Martin Sharp from the Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said: “Zafer Iqbal no doubt thought the passage of time meant that he had escaped justice for the appalling offences he committed against three small children. I hope that his conviction and sentence gives other victims of sexual abuse confidence to come forward."

The abuse took place at an address in Peckham and it only ended when Iqbal got married and moved away.

The victims-who were all under the age of 14- reported the abuse in 2012 and in August last year, he was charged with 45 counts of indecent assault, but was only convicted of 25 counts on April 28.

Mr Sharp added: "I would like to take this opportunity to praise the three young women that Iqbal abused and highlight their courage in coming forwarding and reporting to the police Iqbal’s crimes.

"The support they gave the investigating officers during this investigation was instrumental bringing Iqbal to justice today."