A 77-year-old man is to serve six years behind bars for a string of sex offences.

Jeffrey Mantle, of Essex Road, Westgate, near Margate, had admitted six offences of indecent assault on a child and one of taking indecent images of children of the worst possible kind.

His conviction at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday came after he was identified on video footage uncovered in an investigation into another man, Michael Tully, who was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment earlier this year for sex offences.

Tully, 58, formerly of Warren Close, Folkestone, had admitted 30 sex offences, including six counts of indecency of a child, 11 of indecent assault of a girl under 16 and nine rape offences.

Detective Constable Kay Sankey from Kent Police's Public Protection Unit said: 'These offences took place over 10 years ago and I have no doubt that Mantle continued with his life believing he had got away with his terrible crime.

"He conspired with Tully to commit these horrific assaults on a young vulnerable girl. The victim has shown great courage and resilience in assisting police with the investigation, which in turn has led to the successful prosecution and sentencing of these two men.

"The sentencing of these serious offenders shows Kent Police's determination to bring dangerous offenders to justice. Kent Police will continue to seek out those individuals who abuse children in this way and bring them before the courts."

Commenting on today's sentencing His Honour Judge Andrew Patience said this was one of the worst cases he had dealt with. Mantle was an enthusiastic participant and was indescribably wicked, taking full advantage with enthusiasm of someone who had been corrupted and no doubt utterly terrified. He also said the victim would no doubt be damaged for life.

Mantle was ordered to serve six years for each count of assault and two years for the image offence to run concurrently. He will also have to sign the sex offenders register when he is released.