A pervert who indecently assaulted children in Newton Aycliffe almost 30 years ago has been jailed for three years.
Clive Alborough, 72, committed the assaults on three young children while living in Aycliffe, between March 24, 1981, and October 24, 1984, Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday.
Alborough, who now lives in Reading, pleaded guilty last month and returned to Newcastle for sentence yesterday.
The pensioner, who has a previous conviction for indecency with a child dating back to 1973, fondled each of the children on three occasions.
The court heard all three victims were traumatised by the experience, and one had attempted suicide and was taking anti-depressants.
Jonathan Devlin, mitigating, said: “He cannot remember committing these offences. He does not think he would act in that way, but accepts the evidence given by the three injured parties.
“There has been no suggestion of any repetition of that behaviour for nearly 30 years.”
Recorder Julian Goose took into account Alborough’s age, poor health and his guilty plea when sentencing him.
He said the maximum penalty for the offences was 14 years now, but had been five at the time they were committed.