George Smith 67

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A 'MONSTER who sexually abused a young girl has been jailed 13 years.

George Smith, 65, was handed the term with a four-year extended licence after he was found guilty of four sex offences.

Smith, of Salmons Road, Odiham, took advantage of the victim, a girl under the age of 13, last year.

The family of Smiths victim were at Winchester Crown Court to watch the abuser being sent to prison on Friday (May 27).

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Barnett said that Smith's behaviour was not only shocking but quite unforgivable, adding that he carried out deviant and perverted behaviour towards that little girl.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the offences but was convicted by a jury of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13 and causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

In a victim impact statement, the mother said: Georges evil intentions and actions towards [the victim] are impossible to explain to anyone."

She said that her daughters innocence has been taken away from her, the mother continued: Her braveness in speaking out against George means that that monster will no longer be able to hurt anymore girls.

In mitigation, Adrienne Knight said that Smiths wife will be affected by his prison sentence as he is the sole earner.

She continued: His health means he may never come out, certainly his health has deteriorated in recent years.

It is going to make going to prison more onerous, I think, it is going to be more difficult for him because of his health.

Ms Knight said that Smith was a landscaper gardener who was hard working and employed a number of people over the years.

She added: When he comes out of prison that business will be gone, he will in effect be left with very little.

Smith was found not guilty of possessing a prohibited image and an indecent image of a child his work computer, but in sentencing, Judge Barnett said: On that computer were a number of images some touching upon the concerning subject of young girls, it seems to me that is a pointer as to what was going on in your warped mind.

The judge told Smith that he believed he posed a danger to the public which resulted in the extended licence.

Smith was handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.