'Pathetic' paedophile jailed for molesting girl

A paedophile who molested a girl has been jailed for 15 years.

Allan Spacey, 68, had denied any offending but was found guilty by jurors, Durham Crown Court heard.

His victim said he was a "weak and pathetic" man who put her through "hell" but she wanted to protect other young girls and "show them what Allan Spacey is".

Spacey, of The Crescent in High Etherley, Bishop Auckland, was found guilty of six offences, including sexually assaulting a child under 13.

In a statement read to the court, the girl said Spacey had "stolen" something from her.

"I don't feel safe since he put me through hell," she said.

But Spacey's "sick perversions" would not break her, she said, and she would be strong going forward, adding: "I'll be ok and you haven't won."

Judge Sarah Mallett said Spacey knew the girl was vulnerable and "took advantage" of her.

She said he had been assessed as posing a "high risk" to young people.

He must also serve a year on extended licence upon his eventual release from prison and sign the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life.

Spacey was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order to last indefinitely.

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