A spiritual leader who used his position to target children has admitted committing sex offenses more than 30 years ago.

The incidents took place in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, between 1983 and 1987, including at a gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship.

Makhan Singh Mauji, of North Priors Court, Northampton, was a Granthi (ceremonial Guru Granth Sahib reader and service leader) who would “invade the lives” of his victims, police said.

The 71-year-old pleaded guilty to 13 sex offenses and was due to be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on December 20.

Mauji was on the fourth day of his trial when he changed his pleas to guilty on Thursday.

He admitted eight counts of indecent assault on a child under 14 and two counts of gross indecency of a child under 14.

He pleaded guilty to two other counts of indecent assault on a child under 16 and attempted rape of a child under 16.

Mauji was released on pre-sentence bail and forced to surrender his passport.

Det Insp Justine Jenkins, from Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unitsaid: “I cannot praise enough the brave victims who came forward to bring Mauji to justice.

“This trial would have been difficult for the victims, discussing incidents that had a long-lasting impact on them.

“I hope that seeing Mauji convicted of his heinous crimes will help bring them to an end.”