A former church deacon who groomed and sexually abused children has been jailed.

Michael Higson, 33, of Winslow Road, Bolton , was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a child.

Higson groomed two girls from 2009 to February 2016 during his time working as a youth leader and deacon of West Houghton Pentecostal Church.

He began grooming the girls after befriending their families. One of the victims was just 13 when he began talking to her online on a daily basis and suggested inappropriate sexual behaviour.

He then began a sexual relationship with her which lasted for a number years before the victim ended it.

After this, Higson then began a further sexual relationship with an 14-year-old girl which came to light after a family member saw a text from the offender on the victim’s phone.

In February 2016 the offences were reported to police and an investigation was launched where Higson was subsequently arrested and charged.

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Det Con May Preston, from GMP’s Bolton Division , said:“Higson manipulated his position in society to gain the trust of these girls and their parents.

“One he had accomplished that he then set out to groom these young girls and sexually exploit them.

“I would like to praise the victims for their bravery in reporting this to us and I hope this sentence proves just how seriously GMP takes reports of this nature.

“No one should suffer in silence and I would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual offence to report it to police immediately.”

To report any sexual offences please call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre at www.stmaryscentre.org or 0161 276 6515.