A park keeper from Edmonton is behind bars after being found guilty of sexually abusing two sisters 30 years ago.

Former Haringey Council employee Keith Dyer, 54, of Woodlands Road, Edmonton, was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday for abusing the girls, then aged five and eight, between 1974 and 1976.

Dyer preyed on his young victims separately after the council sent him to clear the family's overgrown garden in Wood Green.

Wood Green Crown Court heard his victims had suffered in silence up until this year, not even telling each other they had been abused.

Dyer's crimes were brought to light in January after one of the women bought a north London paper and found his picture staring back at her from the page. He had won an award for keeping parks safe.

The woman contacted police and Dyer was arrested and charged with three counts of indecent assault, one count of indecency with a child and one count of gross indecency. He denied the charges.

The sisters, now in their 30s, were in court to watch Dyer being sentenced.

Speaking after the case, one of the sisters, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "It was terrible to have to go to court but I had to be there to see the outcome.

"I feel relieved Dyer is behind bars, but I feel he should have got more time. Three years is nothing compared to the 30 years I have suffered."

Recalling the day she found the courage to call police, she said: "When I saw him in the paper receiving an award, I was so angry, and I thought to myself, I have to do something now."

The married mother-of-two from Tottenham said suffering in silence had led to years of alcohol addiction, depression and even a suicide attempt.

She is hoping Dyer's sentence, passed down on Tuesday, will help her and her sister to begin a new chapter in their lives.

"This has brought me and my sister closer. In the past, the abuse had caused us to avoid each other. Now we are both receiving lots of support and help.

"To anyone who has been abused, speak up. It doesn't matter how much time passes, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Find the courage and go out there and do what you have to do.

"There are lots of people out there that can help you, so please don't think no one will believe you."

PC Mick Allen, who led the investigation, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the courage and determination of the victims to see this through.

"I have no doubt that Dyer has probably committed other offences in the past."