A FORMER member of the Ku Klux Klan has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after sexually abusing two girls.

Cameron Dudley handed himself in to the police "out of the blue" – before an investigation had even started – and wanted to be given a long prison sentence to show he had been punished, a court heard.

During a high-profile case in 2000, he was revealed to be a former member of the racist Ku Klux Klan and was jailed on that occasion for five years for firearms offences.

Yesterday, at Grimsby Crown Court, the 43-year-old, formerly of Haycroft Avenue, Grimsby, admitted 13 offences, including 10 of indecent assault, one of sexual assault and one of sexual activity with a child.

Nick Adlington, prosecuting, told the court that Dudley committed a series of sexual acts with the girls over a number of years.

In August last year, he went to police in Grimsby "out of the blue" and admitted everything.

Catarina Sjolin, mitigating, said Dudley wanted to apologise, accepted what he had done unreservedly, blamed nobody but himself and claimed he could not remember much about the offences because he had often been drinking at the time.

"What he did can never truly be forgiven by those he did it to," said Miss Sjolin. "He fully admits every one of those allegations. His remorse is as genuine as anyone's could be.

"He wants it to be a long enough sentence that his victims feel he has been properly punished."

Dudley, recently of no fixed address, had been in custody for 166 days. Judge Simon Jack told him: "You know how serious these offences are. I have to pass a substantial sentence."

Dudley was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, given a sexual offences prevention order for life and banned from working with children for life.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Amy Dixon said: "There were two victims who suffered at this man's hands and it is only through their courage and co-operation that sufficient evidence was gathered to ensure he was brought to justice.

"I would like to pay tribute to the way the victims conducted themselves throughout the investigation and I sincerely hope they can now move on with their lives, knowing that Dudley is where he belongs.

"I am very pleased with the sentence. This sends a clear message to those who offend."