Police have paid tribute to the "immense bravery and courage" of the victims of a former west Suffolk teacher who has been locked up for sex offences.

Last week, Richard Taylor, of West Street in Icklingham, near Bury St Edmunds, was jailed for 20 years with an additional two years on extended licence for a string of counts of sexual activity with two children.

Taylor, 56, was previously found guilty at Ipswich Crown Court of one count of rape, six counts of indecent assault of a male and nine counts of indecency with a child between 1999 and 2001.

Sentencing him, Judge Martyn Levett told Taylor his character “was shrouded by a secretive and rather darker side” and that he had caused “untold damage” to his victims.

READ MORE: Victims tell of sex abuse trauma as teacher jailed for 20 years

Investigating officer DC Jen Botting, of Suffolk police, praised the victims for coming forward and helping to secure the convictions.

Taylor was locked up last weekTaylor was locked up last week (Image: Suffolk police)

She said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the immense bravery and courage of both victims and their families.

"This was a highly complex and difficult case to investigate and without their evidence, it would have been extremely hard to secure this conviction and sentence against Taylor.

READ MORE: Suffolk and Essex Crime News

“As a consequence of Taylor’s not guilty plea, the victims had to endure revisiting their horrific and distressing experiences as part of the evidence heard during the nine day trial. 

"I hope the sentence passed provides some level of closure and allows them to move forward with their lives.

“I also hope this case demonstrates just how Suffolk police is committed to fully investigating any allegation of sexual assault, be it recent or non-recent as was the case here and will provide the highest level of support and care to any victim whilst a thorough investigation is carried out.”