Bridgwater man Leonard Cook jailed for child sex offences
A paedophile has been jailed for 20 years for a string of sexual offences against children, some dating back nearly 25 years.
Leonard Cook, 67, from Sydenham in Bridgwater, admitted nine counts of sexual assault and one of rape.
The offences took place between the early 1990s and the present day, and Cook's eight victims were all aged under 13 years old.
He was arrested last year when one of his victims' mothers contacted police.
Det Insp Lindsay Shearlock of Avon and Somerset Police described Cook's crimes as "abhorrent" and "dark in nature".
She added she was "humbled" by the courage of the victims and their families in coming forward.
Cook was sentenced to 20 years in prison during a hearing at Taunton Crown Court.
He was told he will have to serve a minimum of 14 years before he is eligible for parole.