A PENSIONER who repeatedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl has been jailed for three-and-half years.

A judge also imposed an extended sentence of three years supervision to start at the end of the sentence after deciding that Ronald Potter, who is from the Brompton area of Gillingham, still posed a threat to girls.

The girl, who has learning difficulties, told police that Potter had intercourse with her at his former Gillingham home a dozen times.

Caroline Knight, prosecuting, said the abuse was revealed when the girl told a school nurse that she feared she was pregnant.

When she gave more details it was realised that she had been having regular sex with 71-year-old Potter over a five-month period.

Miss Knight said the girl would visit Potter’s home to see his dog. She went into great detail about what Potter did to her while there.

She told an officer: "I wanted him to stop because I was getting upset, but he said: 'No, let me do it.'"

She said it started in August, 2004 and happened "loads of times".

He would give her money and showed her pornographic films. The girl said she did not tell her parents as she was worried that her father would kill Potter.

Miss Knight said the effect on the victim had been devastating.

"Despite moving schools and support from her close-knit family, she continues to suffer," she said.

Potter, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, admitted four charges of sexual activity with a child.

Michael Haynes, defending, said Potter accepted he was entirely responsible for what happened and recognised the potential effect on her.

The judge told Potter, who has no previous convictions: "You very seriously used her, groomed her, corrupted her and had sexual intercourse with her, knowing full well her age and state of development."

Judge McKinnon added that he was quite satisfied that Potter, who will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, posed a significant risk.