A PENSIONER who sexually assaulted a teenager is starting his second prison sentence for abusing young girls.

John Gregory fondled the teenager for 40 seconds while asking her if she minded and despite her protestations he continued with the assault, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 79-year-old initially denied carrying out the assault but on the day of his trial he relented and entered a guilty plea.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said the defendant had been jailed for six months in the 70s for two serious sexual offences on a teenage girl.

"He touched her breast over her clothing for 40 seconds," he said. He asked her if it felt uncomfortable and he touched her for those 40 seconds or so until he was disturbed by his wife."

Mr Walker said the victim was severely traumatised by what had happened and had kept it a secret until she eventually broke down and told a friend. Eventually the police were alerted and he was arrested.

He added: "The defendant denied the offence during the course of the interview and said the allegation had been fabricated."

The teenager read out her victim impact statement for the judge to hear the impact the sexual assault had on her life.

She said she was unable to concentrate during her exams and suffered regular nightmares.

"I wake up multiple times at night – I'm all sweaty and upset," she said. "I'm just relieved to wake up as I'm reliving the nightmare every night."

Gregory, of Regal Drive, Darlington, was jailed for six months after he pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual activity with a child.

Christine Egerton, in mitigation, said Gregory was deeply apologetic for his actions and had accepted full responsibility for the sexual assault.

"He fully accepts his guilt and when he was interviewed by a probation officer he said that he accepted his guilt, as is not uncommon, an experienced probation officer observed that there maybe not 100 per cent full acceptance of matters and the reason behind his offending," she said.

"He is very, very sorry for what happened."

Miss Egerton urged the judge to pass a non-custodial sentence as Gregory was suitable for community-based treatment.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told Gregory that his previous conviction and the devastating impact his actions had on the teenager meant a custodial sentence was unavoidable.

"You were the adult here and you were in control but you lost control and did what you did," he said. "More than 40 years ago you were convicted of a serious sexual offence."

Judge Ashurst jailed him for six months and placed the defendant on the sex offenders' register for seven years.

He said: "I hope you are sorry for what you did to your victim and not sorry about the situation you find yourself in."