A respected grandfather has been put behind bars for sex attacks he carried out more than half a century ago.

Paul Reynolds was a teenager when he targeted the young girl in Sunderland and left her traumatised for more than 50 years.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he had told the victim if she told anyone about what he did then no-one would believe her and she would be the one to get in trouble.

After decades of torment she finally found the courage to report what had happened to her.

She said in a video impact statement, which was played in court she had been "scared and confused" and "didn't know what was happening" when she was a little girl.

She added: "This dirty secret I had, it was too much for me at that stage."It put me in a world I wasn't ready for."

The court heard it was after years of insomnia, flashbacks, nightmares as well as counselling and support the victim found the courage to report what had been done to her.

Reynolds, 71, of Villa Road, Oban, Argyll, admitted indecent assault charges.

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad told the court Reynolds has no other convictions or cautions.

Mr Ahmad said Reynolds had to be sentenced under the regime that would have been applicable at the time he committed the offences, when he was a teenager.

Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced Reynolds to 18 months behind bars and told him: "You told her no-one would believe her.

"Years later she was able to go to the police. She described herself as keeping a dirty secret."

Judge Clemitson said the offences had a "profound affect" on the victim, who has lived with it for more than 50 years and added: "The harm cannot be undone by any sentence I impose.

"The judge said as an adult Reynolds conducted himself in a "perfectly lawful and respectable manner and been a worthwhile member of society".

Jason Smith, defending, told the court Reynolds has been married for 52 years, is a father and grandfather and his family has now been left questioning who he is but said: "That Paul Reynolds who committed these offences was a child."

Mr Smith added: "He cannot give any excuses why this happened and isn't ever going to try and justify it."