A man convicted of the “depraved” sexual abuse of two young girls has been jailed despite his poor state of health.

Durham Crown Court heard that Frederick Thomas West was of previous good character until he admitted the offences at a hearing in the autumn.

But his sentencing hearing was told that when confronted about his offending, for the first time, in January last year, the defendant reacted, "angrily and aggressively ."

The court was told he has lived since as, "a recluse", in a bungalow suffering with various chronic ailments.

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Despite his violent outburst on being confronted, by the time of the plea hearing at the court, on October 26, the 65-year-old defendant, of Merz Road, Newton Aycliffe, admitted six counts of sexual assault and one of voyeurism.

His case was adjourned for preparation of both probation and psychiatric reports.

Mark Styles, representing West, told the sentencing judge, Judge Jo Kidd: “The report of the psychiatrist is helpful in that it sets out that this is a disadvantaged individual who suffers complex chronic physical health problems."

Mr Styles said the defendant has a number of serious ailments, but also suffers with “mental blocks”, forgetting everyday events, having to write things down to remember them.

But Mr Styles said it was to the defendant’s credit that he spared the victims having to give evidence by pleading guilty.

“He’s been living the life of a recluse since these matters came to light.

“He struggles to think back and can’t recall details of some of the offences.

“But he doesn’t challenge what the children say, although he does struggle with his memory as a genuine side-effect of a stroke he suffered in 2014.

“He’s described as posing a low risk of re-offending.

“He now lives in a bungalow alone with his three pet birds, two finches and a budgerigar.

“He’s, clearly, destroyed at the circumstances he now finds himself in.”

Mr Styles added: “I have rarely seen someone in such poor health in the dock at the crown court, quite frankly.”

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Judge Kidd told West he obviously had, “an ongoing sexual interest” in these children.

Referring to the older of the two victims, Judge Kidd said: “At the time she believed what you did to her was normal, but as she got older she realised it was sexual assault and depraved.”

The judge described his response when confronted as, “disgraceful, aggressive and violent”.

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Judge Kidd said she had to consider the medical report highlighting the defendant’s “significant mental health and physical issues”, which she said “tempered” the inevitable custodial sentence she would pass.

She imposed a 51-month prison sentence and made the defendant subject of indefinite terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offenders’ registration requirements.

Restraining orders also prohibit the defendant from approaching or contacting his victims, also for life.