A paedophile who made a young girl carry out sexual acts for spoonfuls of jam and 20 pence pieces was already a convicted murderer, it has emerged.

William Dawson lured the victim into his County Durham home telling her he was her uncle and threatened to harm her parents if she told anyone.

But decades later the brave victim spoke out and Dawson, who is known as Billy the Bump, because of a lump on his forehead, is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

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The sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court revealed that Dawson, 72, killed a woman in Australia in 1971 by choking her with a pair of stockings.

He was released from a life sentence in 1976 and arrived back in the UK later that year without any further period of imprisonment.

His sickening sex offences were carried out in the late 90s and over 20 years later his victim contacted the police.

Detective Constable Norman Foster launched a long and complex investigation and Dawson, of Cotswold Gardens, Gateshead, was subsequently charged with rape, indecent assault and inciting a girl to commit an act of gross indecency.

He denied all wrongdoing and he went on trial but the jury convicted him on all counts last September.

This week Dawson was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

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DC Foster said: “I first met the victim three-and-a-half years ago, who disclosed to me the most horrific crimes carried out against her by Dawson from when she was very young.

“The detrimental impact on the psychological and emotional development of this child into adulthood goes without saying as she has had to recount the ordeal, not just to officers but also in court.

“She has shown immense fortitude and determination throughout the case, and through her commitment and courage, has enabled us to secure a successful prosecution.

“Dawson committed these horrendous offences against a vulnerable child and is expected to spend the remainder of his life in prison.

“Although the emotional scars will never vanish, hopefully this chapter of the victim’s life can now come to a close and she can look forward to a brighter future.”