Grandfather jailed for 18 years for sex offences

An elderly man who sexually abused eight members of his family over almost four decades was a vile and parasitic offender, a judge said today.

The 76-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was today sentenced in the Victorian Supreme Court to a maximum jail term of 18 years.

He will not be eligible for parole until he is 88.

The man had pleaded guilty to 28 counts of incest, indecent assault, indecent acts and carnal knowledge, and one count of common assault.

Justice Philip Cummins said the man's conduct in abusing family members, including daughters and granddaughters, was "vile and parasitical".

"You have abused eight separate victims, from two generations, from three families, over a period of 37 years," Justice Cummins said.

"Your victims were of most tender years. You were in a position of paternal trust.

"You stopped only when your conduct was revealed. You are a long-term predator."