A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed for three years for repeatedly sexually abusing a girl - starting when she was aged only seven.

Bertram Way, 77, admitted a string of sexual offences on the youngster who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Way - a self-confessed "dirty old man" - sexually assaulted the girl over a period of four years when she was between the ages of seven and 11.

The incidents of abuse took place while Way was left in a position of trust, the court heard.

Prosecutor Peter Henry said that Way offered to pay her more pocket money if she complied with his desires and told her not to tell anyone what had happened.

Mr Henry said the abuse finished when the girl was 11. The abuse occurred between 1994 and 1999 but only recently came to light when the victim told a school friend. Mr Henry said that she had previously been too scared to tell anybody.

"She was scared that if she told anybody people would blame her and say it was her fault," he said. The court heard that on his arrest in February Way broke down into tears and immediately made full admissions.

Mitigating barrister Robert Pawson said that after his arrest Way said: "My God what am I doing? I should have been castrated or something."

Way, of Lyndale Road, Park Gate, later said to police "I can't explain, I can't explain" and "I wish I could change it all," the court heard.

Mr Pawson told the court: "It was quite clear that he was thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour."

Way admitted three charges of indecent assault on a girl aged under 16 and three charges of indecency with the same child.

Judge David Selwood said there were certain "very distasteful" characteristics to the crimes, including the fact that the offences were planned.

He said: "That there was an element of grooming of (the victim) in that you required her to be quiet and not to speak of what you were doing. That makes the series of offences very serious."

He added: "I cannot be sure that you have demonstrated a real understanding of the seriousness of what you did."

He sentenced Way to a total of three years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely.