A SEX offender who dodged his initial trial has been jailed for more than a decade. 

Thomas Nash was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday after committing a catalogue of crimes against girls as young as four.

The 70-year-old, from Fedamore in the Republic of Ireland, was served with 10 years and nine months in prison after being convicted of 20 charges involving sexual assault and gross indecency. 

Investigating officer detective constable Kelly Gilbert from the child abuse investigation unit in Banbury said Nash was 'finally where he belongs'.

The offences took place in Bicester and Hampshire between 1997 and 2001, involving two girls who were just four-years-old when his crimes began.

Nash was charged at St Aldates Police Station in May 2015 but fled and failed to turn up to his trial a year later. 

He was recaptured under a European Arrest Warrant and pleaded guilty.

Nash was convicted on January 12 for 16 charges of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years, and four charges of gross indecency with a girl under sixteen years of age.

Detective constable Gilbert added: “I am very pleased with the outcome. The girls in this case can try to move forward with their lives. 

“Mr Nash failed to turn up for his trial in May 2016 which caused unnecessary stress for all involved. With the assistance of the Garda, Mr Nash was extradited to the UK and now faces a lengthy term in prison."

She thanked the victims for 'their patience and for being so courageous in coming forward'.