A girl of eight pulled her teeth out with pliers after an horrific sexual assault, a court was told yesterday.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the girl pulled out six of her teeth with pliers, slashed her arms, took drug overdoses, and was caught trying to drink bleach.

She told psychiatrists that she wanted to kill herself.

The child described her nightmare in a letter to the judge who sentenced her 74-year-old attacker to two years in jail.

The pensioner indecently assaulted her when she was aged six and seven when she visited his home.

An experienced child protection officer on the Cleveland force said later: "I have never met a more traumatised abuse victim."

Married Frederick Thornton, of Dawson House, Queensway, Billingham, who pleaded guilty to five specimen offences of indecent assault between October 2000 and October last year, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said that Thornton appreciated the profound effect of his behaviour on the girl.

Judge George Moorhouse told the white-haired Thornton: "The most aggravating feature of this matter is the sad effect this has had upon that little girl.

"It is obvious from the evidence that I have heard from her mother and the letter I received from the child that this series of offences has affected her severely, so much so that her whole life may be affected."

The girl's mother said outside court; "I think he should have got life.

"My daughter is having counselling, she is frightened to go out. I am having to look after her 24 hours a day.

"She told me that she even offered him her pocket money if he would stop."