An elderly pervert who sexually abused a young girl more than three decades ago has been jailed for eight years.

Gilbert Knox sat motionless in the dock as his victim told in a statement of her suffering over the years.

She described it as being like “a horrific video playing over and over” and said she even stuck pins in her breasts to try to “deflate” them.

The 76-year-old former maths tutor denied seven offences of indecent assault - committed when he was living in Tonbridge - but was convicted by a jury.

The victim, now in her 40s, said in her statement that her school days should have been the most joyous of her life.

But she continued: “For me they were not. I was unable to concentrate on my studies. I was abused. Every day to me was groundhog day.”

“I thought I should hide my figure and be ashamed of it. I was trying to erase the vile memories of a lecherous and drunk man" - Victim

She spoke of desperation and fear and said a suffocating feeling had been a millstone around her neck.

“I still struggle to say what happened to me,” she continued.

“Here in court is like being abused again. Throughout my life I have suffered from depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

“I thought I should hide my figure and be ashamed of it. I was trying to erase the vile memories of a lecherous and drunk man. I have cried many tears and had many sleepless nights.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Knox told the victim she was a naughty girl after molesting her and would say: “Look what you made me do.”

He also warned her not to tell anybody.

Knox, who now lives in Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland, was said to be in poor health, suffering from hypertension, leukaemia, skin cancer and dementia.

Judge Jeremy Carey said Knox had to be sentenced for grave offences.

“You took advantage of her vulnerability and naivete and trusting nature,” he said. “You started to groom her...intending to derive what ever sexual pleasure you could.

“There was a degree of coercion. So, it is the day of reckoning has come. You stoutly resisted and denied in the face of clear and moving evidence the very allegations of which you have been found guilty.”

Knox’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and a sexual harm prevention order was made.