Locations
Laburnum Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE9
Description
A pensioner who left a girl suicidal after sexually assaulting her has been jailed for nine years.
Colin Routledge groomed and abused the youngster in offences which had a "devastating" impact on her life, a court heard. The 77-year-old was convicted of four offences of sexual assault after a trial.
Locking him up at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Amanda Rippon told him: "You told her not to tell anyone what you were doing and you said you would get into trouble if she did. She didn't understand why you would get in trouble because she didn't understand what was happening to her.
"She kept it secret until she could cope no more, telling her parents. She has provided a victim impact statement outlining the devastating impact."
The judge added: "She is one of the most brave people I have seen in some time. I very much hope she is able to find some comfort and solace and some understanding of what happened to her, none of which was her fault. I hope she can move forward with the love and support of her family."
As well as the prison sentence, Routlege must sign the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order. and a restraining order.
The court heard Routlege, of Laburnum Gardens, Gateshead, has no previous convictions and has medical conditions that will make his time in prison more difficult.