Convicted paedophile Jonathan Cumberbatch was yesterday sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for exploiting and sexually assaulting three siblings.

Cumberbatch, 47, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor while in a position of trust, and one count of sexual assault.

The victims in this case were two boys and a girl, aged nine, ten and 11 when the incident took place. None of the victims can be named for legal reasons.

This was the second sexual offence that Cumberbatch has admitted. In 1994, he pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation while in a position of trust and sexual assault.

Yesterday, Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said that Cumberbatch had volunteered to look after the three children, all of whom were known to him.

The children were left at Cumberbatch's Warwick home. Ms Clark said the defendant began to play truth or dare with the children, encouraging the siblings to touch each other in a sexual way while he watched.

"The accused said during his interview with Police that he had to set up barriers for himself when dealing with children and at times those barriers have been broken," said Ms Clark.

"He acknowledges that his actions in this incident were wrong and that he needs more barriers.

"He further describes himself as a crushed individual, and even if given psychological treatment, he could never be normal."

She said that according to the Social Inquiry Report prepared for the court, Cumberbatch rationalised his inappropriate behaviour towards children.

"He refers to his previous victim as being in a 'loving, consensual' relationship, and with his current victims he takes the role of educator.

"He has shown limited remorse for his victims, seemingly only concerned with the fact their names have been read out in court, but not accepting that it is his actions that have caused the victims to be named."

Ms Clark called for 15 to 22 years' imprisonment. Defence attorney Llewellyn Peniston argued that Cumberbatch should only be sentenced to ten years.

"This was only one incident," he said. "The defendant is a deeply religious man, but like all of us, not without personal flaws."

Mr. Peniston said that Cumberbatch had done many good things for the children prior to the assault.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons quickly responded: "If he did, it's all been for naught.

"These children are now in serious therapy. Because the victims were siblings, there is always going to be that constant reminder for them."

Asked in court if he had anything to say in his defence, Cumberbatch quietly responded: "No."

Mrs. Justice Simmons sentenced Cumberbatch to 12 years' imprisonment for sexual assault and 10 years' imprisonment for each count of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The sentences are to run concurrently and Cumberbatch will not be eligible for parole until he has served six years of his sentence.

"You have no one else to blame for your actions," Mrs. Justice Simmons said. "The court must rely on the expert opinion that the danger of reoffending always exists, and it can be repeated in five years or 15 years. That's what happened in this case.

"You knew you shouldn't do this to children."

Cumberbatch was also ordered to take part in a sex offenders' programme and an emotional management programme.

After learning of the sentencing, Sheelagh Cooper of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, said that the sentence was too short to provide Cumberbatch a real opportunity to get better.

"It's not about being punitive," she said. "He's a very sick individual. In this case, it's not the first time he's done something like this.

"In my opinion, it's just not enough time to treat him."