A PAEDOPHILE who started abusing boys in the 1960s while he was a member of a Biggin Hill based flying club has been jailed for 30 months.

Benjamin Graham Dix received the sentence at Woolwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of indecent assault on children.

He will also have to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

The attacks on two boys took place between 1969 and 1992 while Dix was a member of a flying club based at Biggin Hill Airport.

In September 2011, one of the victims contacted police to report indecent assaults that occurred during the summer of either 1969 or 1970, when he was aged nine or 10 years old.

Dix, who is now aged 76, would take him for rides in his car and while letting his victim steer would indecently assault him.

The second victim was assaulted in the same way in 1992 while in Dix's car, as well as on occasions when Dix visited the family home.

Detectives from the Met’s Sapphire unit launched an investigation and on November 9 2011 Dix was arrested at his home address.

Dix, from Godalming, Surrey, was charged on April 18, 2012.

He was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on December 20.

Detective Constable Paul Hill, from Sapphire, said: "The two victims in this case were children when Dix assaulted them.

“They showed courage to come forward after so many years to tell us what happened to them.

“These were very disturbing assaults on very young children at the time and although these assaults took place many years ago, it shows we will pursue sex offenders and bring them to justice.

"Dix thought he had got away with it, but the victims in this case were determined to see him brought to justice."

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas said: "Dix sexually abused two young boys who were vulnerable.

“This case may have happened many years ago, but in this case he was brought to justice because his victims came forward and they should be commended for overcoming their fears and disclosing these terrible crimes.

"With appropriate support from police and our partners, I urge other victims of sexual crimes to come forward and tell us what has happened to them. You will be supported."