A MAN who sexually abused young boys and then threatened them not to tell anyone has been jailed for six years.

David Paul Williams used "an element of bribery" to persuade the four victims to consent to his activities, Durham Crown Court heard.

Other times, he forced himself on them and warned them against saying anything, threatening to hit or kill them.

He told one victim he would not receive any Christmas presents and would be "sent to the naughty boys' home" if he told his parents.

Andrew Finley, prosecuting, said Williams punched a boy who interrupted him while carrying out an indecent act on another child.

Mr Finley said the youngest boy was aged four at the time the offending began, while the oldest was ten or 11.

The abuse took place after Williams moved from his former home in Devon to the Durham area last September.

Williams, 37, admitted three charges of indecency with a child and four of indecent assault, at an earlier hearing.

Stephen Ashurst, mitigating, said that since his arrest in November Williams had been in custody and on his release from prison aimed to return to the South-West.

Mr Ashurst said Williams was very remorseful for the damage he caused and hoped to receive treatment in prison.