DETECTIVES who helped jail child sex abuser Martyn Locklin said last night they were delighted at the result of the "difficult" case.

An officer in the case, Detective Constable Walter Hirst, formerly of Newton Aycliffe police, said that, despite the "disreputable backgrounds" of the three young men who made the allegations, the truth had been seen by the jury.

During the trial, the court heard that two of the young men, now in their 20s, were convicted murderers, with promiscuous sexual backgrounds, including consensual homosexual affairs with older men during their early teens.

The other, the court was told, had himself been convicted of sexual abuse of young children before he met Locklin at Aycliffe Young People's Centre.

Det Con Hirst said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the case. We were always sure we had the right man for the right crime. It was just a matter of the jury seeing that.

"Despite these three young men having disreputable backgrounds, they were victims of prolonged sexual abuse and should not be judged on past character.

"This man abused his position of trust at the centre, and when he was supposedly acting as a trusted friend in the case of his second victim.

He said the backgrounds of the victims had made it a "difficult" case, but added that Locklin had chosen his victims well as he knew they were young men that few people would believe.

Det Con Hirst said: "I think there are other people who have not come forward, perhaps because they are too ashamed and frightened."

And Detective Sergeant Alan Watson, who also investigated the case, said he, too, was pleased with the outcome - "for the sake of the victims".

He added: "The victims have had their chance to speak in court, as has Locklin, who has been convicted by his peers.

"I am delighted for the victims as it was extremely difficult for them. Our sensitive investigation was a team effort."