Description
Described as a "predatory paedophile", David Spence indecently assaulted three children in the 1980s and 1990s in the Spennymoor area.
His sickening crimes left his victims - who are now adults - battling mental health issues and Spence managed to avoid the consequences of his offences for decades.
After the 67-year-old's crimes were brought to the attention of the police for a second time, he continued to deny the allegations until he finally pleaded guilty on the day his trial was due to take place.
In a victim impact statement, one victim told the court that they have suffered with "low self-esteem" and "night-terrors" throughout their adult life as a result of what Spence did to them.
They regularly have "full blown panic attacks" and "struggle with paranoia", they said in the statement.
Spence, was jailed for 10 and a half years with a 12-month extended licence and he was also made subject of a restraining order, which will run until further order.
He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order, which will remain in place until further order and he was put on the sex offenders' register.