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A paedophile who abused a girl decades ago has been jailed for eight and half years.

Neil Thompson, 59, denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty by jurors of nine offences, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

His victim said Thompson, of Medomsley near Consett, County Durham, had threatened she would not be believed if she reported anything and the "horrible secret" had eaten away at her for years.

Judge Robert Spragg said Thompson, who was found guilty of offences including indecent assault and indecency with a child, would now face the consequences of his historical crimes.

'Enormous courage'

Thompson's victim told the court she had had years of counselling to help her come to terms with the abuse, adding he "stole" her happiness, childhood and opportunity to enjoy life.

She said: "I'm so sad the life I should have had has been taken away from me."

The woman said the abuse was "etched on [her] brain" and she "lived daily" with what Thompson had done.

Judge Spragg praised the victim for her "enormous courage" in reporting Thompson after so many years.

He told the paedophile: "At a time when she should have been enjoying her childhood, you took the opportunity to abuse her for your own sexual needs.

"You did your best to destroy someone else's life while you got on with yours."

He said Thompson, of Peasant View, had to be sentenced in accordance with the rules at the time the offences were committed, with each offence then having a maximum of two years in prison while the modern equivalents had maximums ranging from 10 years to life.

Thompson was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders' register for life.

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