Former cop jailed for sexual assault

A former decorated Australian police officer "lost his moral compass" when he sexually assaulted two girls, said a judge who sentenced him to jail for at least seven years.

Judge Deborah Sweeney said Gregory Ernest Urch had exploited his relationship with the girls by committing offences in their homes, a local swimming pool and in his car on a trip to Sydney from the Goulburn Police Academy.

A number of offences had also taken place at Urch's home when one of the girls had visited him to take typing lessons and play with his dog, she said.

Gregory Ernest Urch, 61, pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court last October to six counts of sexual assault relating to two girls in the mid 1990s.

In the Downing Centre District Court on Friday, Judge Sweeney sentenced the former policeman to 10 years in prison with a non-parole period of seven years.

Urch had a distinguished police career and an extensive commendation history, which culminated in 2008 with the NSW Premier's Award.

His work predominately involved domestic violence, including issues of child protection.

Judge Sweeney said the offences had ruined both victims' childhoods and they now found it difficult to trust men.

One woman, who was about eight when the abuse began, had also become severely anorexic as a result of the physical and emotional pain she suffered, the judge said.

But the judge said the risk Urch would reoffend was low given his remorse and age.

She said Urch had a long history of mental illness, had reported being sexually assaulted in his youth, and had been battling depression when the assaults took place.

-AAP