KEY POINTS:
An elderly man, who was today sentenced to two years' jail for historic sex offences against two young girls, apologised and advised other men in the same position to admit their guilt early.
Charles Kenneth Morgan, 84, was sentenced in the High Court at Wellington today for three indecent assault charges dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.
Morgan was extradited from Australia in August to face the charges.
One of Morgan's victims was aged 10 at the time and the other was abused several times between the ages of five and nine.
At sentencing today, the wheelchair-bound Morgan read a statement apologising to his victims.
"I regret and sorrow for the pain and suffering my actions caused.
"I realise I should have admitted my actions much earlier and urge and encourage other men who have offended ... to admit their guilt sooner rather than later. I am sorry."
Morgan was arrested for the offences in 2004 when he was visiting New Zealand from Australia.
He was bailed and returned to Australia, but refused to come back to face his allegations in court, so had to be extradited.
At sentencing today, Justice Forrest Miller said aggravating factors for Morgan were his "belated" guilty pleas and failure to voluntarily return to the country to face a trial.
However, Justice Miller acknowledged that Morgan had apologised in person to his victims and gave a public statement of apology.
He also took into account Morgan's age, poor health and lack of family support in New Zealand.
Morgan was sentenced to two years on each charge, to be served concurrently.
- NZPA
