A pensioner who committed a series of sexual assaults on a young girl has been jailed.

Maurice Wall, of Burnham-on-Sea, carried out the ‘prolonged non-recent abuse of his victim over a sustained period of time’, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Wall, aged 76 and of Ramsay Way, pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault, indecency with a child and rape – and was sentenced 15 years and 11 months in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.

He must register as a sex offender for life and is banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

In sentencing, Judge Peter Blair QC said: “It has had long-lasting physiological effects upon your victim, for which you must have proper punishment.”

Kathryn Jones, of the CPS, said: “This has been an extremely distressing case for the victim and I must commend the bravery shown. I hope the sentence today brings some closure and now allows the victim to move forward.”