A SENIOR children's home worker, who admitted carrying out sexual offences on boys over a ten-year period, has been told he faces a "substantial" period behind bars.

John Duncan, 58, of Guernsey Road, Grindon, Sunderland, yesterday admitted indecently assaulting a boy under the age of 14 at Shotley Park residential home in County Durham in the 1980s.

The home was run by Barnardo's children's charity. It has since closed.

The retired care worker, who worked for 25 years in different roles involving children until September last year, also admitted sexually assaulting a second boy under the age of 16 at the Feversham residential home in Walbottle, Newcastle, which has also closed.

Duncan, known as Les, admitted a charge of serious sexual assault against a boy in the 1990s at the same home, which was run by the charity Mind.

Three abuse allegations made by a third alleged victim were not proceeded with. Judge David Hodson adjourned the case at Newcastle Crown Court for pre-sentence reports, but told Duncan he faced a lengthy jail sentence.

The judge said: "The overwhelming likelihood is a substantial period of imprisonment." After the case, one of the victims, now a civil servant in his 30s, said the abuse he suffered severely affected his childhood.

"The abuser was preying on your vulnerability," he said.

"You have nowhere to run and you are just trapped - you cannot escape it because you know you will not be believed."

Duncan, a staff supervisor, groomed his victims and singled them out for special treats and attention.

The victim, who cannot be named, went to the police last year.