FOUR men were behind bars tonight for a series of sex offences against children going back decades.

The case centred around homosexual activity in the public toilets at Burn Valley Gardens in Hartlepool in the late 1970s and 1980s.

The men - now all in their 60s and 70s and all from Hartlepool - were jailed for a total of more than 46 years at Teesside Crown Court today (Friday, March 17).

Their perverted activities came to light during a police investigation into undertaker Gerald Martin - who was last year locked up for 20 years for abusing youngsters over decades.

Robert Black, 71, formerly of Derwent Grange, was jailed for 16 years after he was found guilty of four charges of indecent assault and a serious sexual offence following a lengthy trial earlier this year.

Geoff Hillier, 72, of Haswell Avenue, was convicted of two charges of sexual assault and two serious sexual offences, and was given a 14-year sentence.

David Anderson, 68, of Grange Road, admitted six counts of indecent assault, and was jailed for nine years and one month by Judge Howard Crowson.

Peter Watts, 72, of Oxford Road, was given a seven-and-a-half-year jail term after he was found guilty of five charges of indecent assault.

Alan Edmenson, 66, of Ibrox Grove, was convicted of a single charge of indecent assault, and received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Another man, Joseph Brown, 81, of Front Street, Hart, was cleared by the jury of any involvement in the activities.

Each of the men admitted during the trial to using the toilets - in a popular park - to find adult male sexual partners.

Mr Brown told the jury: "If I was in there and any children came in, I came out."

All of the defendants were arrested after the inquiry into Hartlepool funeral director Martin widened.

Two of Martin's victims made allegations against the men jailed today, as did a third victim.

After the case, Cleveland Police and the children's charity, the NSPCC gave their verdicts.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “It is horrifying that these men were able to subject their numerous young victims to abuse over a period of years in a public place close to a town centre.

"It is vitally important that victims feel able to come forward and report what happened to them, no matter how long ago the offences took place and it is heartening that these abusers have been brought to justice after publicity around another non-recent cases of abuse. “Victims must be reassured that they will receive justice and that their bravery helps other potential victims come forward to report crimes and seek support. It is never too late.”

Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth said: “These men preyed on young boys in the Hartlepool area during the seventies.

"They abused their victims and then, some thirty years later, made them re-live their ordeals further in the courtroom.

“This investigation has taken around two and half years from the very first report to the police, to receiving the verdicts.

This brings to a conclusion those dealt with by officers from Operation Krafft.

“The courage and bravery of the victims throughout has been outstanding and I praise them for this. Thankfully, justice has now been served and I hope that these guilty verdicts go some way towards helping the victims and their families move forward with their lives.

“Reports of sexual abuse will always be investigated thoroughly and support will always be offered. I would encourage any victims of sexual abuse to speak to police, regardless of the length of time that has passed.

“Alternatively, those victims who do not wish to contact police can still get support and advice by calling the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on 01642 516888 to speak with a SARC crisis worker.”