A PENSIONER jailed last year for sexual assaults on a young girl was starting a fresh prison term last night after admitting attacking another child.

Frederick Thornton, 75, was given a two-year sentence in October last year for five indecent assaults against a girl when she was aged six and seven.

The case attracted extensive media coverage after the child revealed she had pulled out six of her teeth with pliers, slashed her arms and took drug overdoses because she was so traumatised by the sex attacks.

The latest victim came forward after seeing Thornton on television defending his actions, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The court was told how Thornton, of Dawson House, Kingsway, Billingham, Teesside, attacked her when she was six years old and again when she was ten. He pleaded guilty to six charges of indecent assault between 17 and 21 years ago.

Thornton was due to be released from prison today for his original offence but Judge Peter Armstrong jailed him for another six months.

He said: "The effect on her was very great. She feels she was robbed of her childhood."