A little girl had her "innocence taken away" after being sexually assaulted on her birthday.
Roy Brown's actions have had a "life-changing" impact for the youngster after she was preyed upon during "what should have been a time of celebration". The pensioner has now been convicted of sexual offences for a third time.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, that the 77-year-old touched the schoolgirl to the breast area over her clothing on her birthday in what Frank Dillon, prosecuting, described as a "sustained incident". A statement read out to the court on behalf of the victim's mum described how the attack left a "horrendous effect" on them, while she "feels the defendant has taken a piece of her innocence away and forced her to grow up before her time".
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Brown, of Stanley Street in Southport, has eight previous convictions for nine offences - including being fined for indecent assault in 1970 and indecent exposure in 1973. He has not been before the courts since 1983, however.
Arthur Gibson, defending, said his client was "not in good health" - suffering from mobility issues, diabetes and memory problems. Brown used a walking stick to enter the dock, and was supported by members of his family in the public gallery.
Mr Gibson added: "This type of behaviour does have a profound effect on the victim, and it quite clearly has affected her in this case. Despite not leading an unblemished lifestyle after 1973, we have no further convictions for these offences - this is a one off incident."
Brown, who was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault by a jury after a trial, was jailed for four years. He was also handed a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order and a notification requirement - all to run indefinitely - and must pay a victim surcharge.
Sentencing, Recorder Eric Lamb said: "The impact has been devastating. There is a very different side to your character.
"What should have been a time of celebration was turned into a life changing event for her. She is very different now."
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