A 78-year-old man who repeatedly abused a young girl, leaving her fearing "monsters who hide behind the friend mask", has been jailed.

Canterbury Crown Court heard Ivor Jones "manipulated and groomed" the child, plying her with cigarettes, alcohol and money.

The woodcutter, of Lyminge, near Folkestone, was in his late 50s when he subjected her to a variety of sexual acts in several locations, including his workshop, local woods and truck.

The victim later reported him to police, saying she wanted to protect other women and children, and bravely gave evidence at Jones's trial earlier this year.

He denied six offences of sexual activity with a child and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity but was unanimously convicted by a jury.

He has since returned to Canterbury Crown Court for sentencing – and heard the devastating impact his deviant behaviour had on her life.

Referring to her two victim impact statements, prosecutor Jose Olivares-Chandler told the court: "Because of Ivor Jones, she grew up into a nervous, anxious and vulnerable adult who never felt good enough for anyone.

"She said she saw herself as a woman with no self-worth and had an excruciating feeling of shame about her body.

"She felt that he took years of her life away from her and she needed to escape from reality, using unhealthy coping mechanisms as a result.

"But she wanted to protect other women and children which is why she came forward and put herself through a trial, which she found extremely emotional, difficult and stressful."

The victim also spoke of how Jones had gained her trust to take advantage.

"She felt the defendant manipulated her to get what he wanted, knowing her age, and she wished she had never met him," continued the prosecutor.

"She said the defendant took the best years of her life away....She felt she was the problem and wasn't good enough.

“You took the opportunity to groom - and that is the right word here - for her to accede to your sexual advances...”

"As she says 'These monsters are able to hide behind the friend mask. Who can we trust?'"

Jailing Jones for six years last month, Judge Douglas Marks Moore said although he could take the pensioner's previous good character into consideration, he had to be punished for what was "an extremely serious series of offences".

He told Jones: "Children are by definition vulnerable. They are members of our society that need protection.

“They are members of our society that often can be targeted because of their vulnerability.

"I have absolutely no doubt at all that you were able to see and were aware of her particular vulnerability. You knew her age.

"You took the opportunity to groom - and that is the right word here - for her to accede to your sexual advances.

"You had the opportunity to stop, you had the opportunity to reflect, but you carried on for your own sexual gratification."

On his release from prison, Jones will be subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite requirement to sign on the sex offender register.