A former drama coach has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for sex attacks on a child more than 30 years ago.

Pervert Victor Bignell, 74, admitted two sex offences committed in Thanet in 1972 and 1982 - which a judge branded as "repugnant offences of their sort".

And in heartbreaking details echoing sex claims made against the late TV personality Sir Jimmy Savile, his victim - who was under 13 years at the time of the first assault - made allegations to family members but was not believed.

Judge Simon James praised the victim for her courage at Canterbury Crown Court heard, adding: "It is to her immense credit that she has matured into an intelligent, mature and compassionate woman.

"Her insight, which she has expressed in her victim impact statement, does her immense credit. It is an eloquent reminder - if one were needed - of the long-lasting and corrosive effects of child sexual abuse."

The judge added: "The impact of this type of offending never really goes away and it is for that reason that society now considers sentences far greater than those passed in the 1970s."

Bignell is already serving a prison sentence for downloading vile sex images of children from the internet and was due to be released in December.

The sex attacks followed Bignell using pornographic books to induce his victim to take part in sexual touching - which left her "shocked, horrified and crying".

Jennifer Knight, prosecuting, said the girl later revealed what had happened - but was accused of lying.

But the judge told Bignell: "These offences were committed by you many years ago at a time when society perhaps didn't fully appreciate the magnitude and long-lasting effects that it has on young victims.

"You did what you did to satisfy your sexual urges. And it is clear, both by these and previous offences that you have an unnatural sexual interest in children but that predilection is one you have chosen to deny and I find that troubling given his involvement with a drama group."

John O'Higgins, defending, said Bignell now faces a "bleak and lonely old age and doesn't have much to look forward to when he is released."