AN ELDERLY pensioner has been jailed after raping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10 to 12-year-old girl.

Alexander Walsh, aged 84, of Coronation Road, Radcliffe, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court , after pleading guilty to three charges of sexual assault of a child and rape.

The crimes took place over a period of two years but only came to light when the girl came forward to her mother after a sex education lesson at school.

Louise Brandon, prosecuting, told the court that on July 13 last year the girl was walking to school with her mother when she told her that Walsh had "lifted up her skirt a little bit", leaving her "feeling confused".

The court heard how the girl, who was aged around 11, made the disclosure after learning about sex at school and so realised that what had happened to her had been wrong.

Following her initial revelation the girl was interviewed by police and further described the abuse to her family.

The court heard how Walsh had first abused the girl after she had heard a reference to sex on the television and asked him about what it meant.

Walsh sat her on his lap and touched her sexually.

The court was also told how Walsh would "play games" with the girl and ask her to dress up, including one occasion where he asked her to wear a pencil skirt, and would then touch her.

Over several months Walsh abused the girl on numerous occasions and made her commit a sex act on him.

On another occasion the court heard that Walsh had bounced the girl up and down on his lap before raping her.

Miss Brandon said that when questioned by police Walsh admitted to touching her but said that she had wanted him to do it.

Walsh initially pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, but then also admitted a third count and a rape charge on the day his trial was due to start.

Reading out a victim impact statement in court girl's tearful mother said said the last year "has been hell", the abuse led to her daughter becoming suicidal and she had also considered taking her own life.

She told Walsh: "The thing that has hurt me the most was when [my daughter] said she no longer wanted to be alive because of you."

But the mother had praise for her daughter's school.

"I applaud her school for teaching sex education as this was how he got caught," she said

"July 13 was the day that [my daughter] founder the courage to tell me and that is something I was always proud of because she helped put a stop to it."

Gordon Hennell, defending, said: "This is clearly an extreme and tragic case."

He added that Walsh had shown "genuine remorse".

"All I can say on his behalf is that he is sorry for what he has done," he said.

Judge Maurice Greene sentenced Walsh to nine years in prison.

He said said Walsh had taken advantage of the girl.

The judge added: "I take into account that you are now 84 and not in the best of health — but not that bad for a man of your age.

"I also take into account your genuine remorse, and accept that it is genuine, and that you have no previous convictions and are of previous good character."

Walsh was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.