A paedophile who carried out a 'repulsive' sex assault on a little girl 30 years ago and who decades later indecently assaulted another nine-year-old girl has been jailed for 13 years.
Paul Gandy, 59, of Rydal Road, Haslingden, appeared for sentencing following a prior conviction by a jury at Bolton Crown on three sex offences.
They were that he indecently assaulted a young girl.
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He was also found guilty of intentionally sexually touching a nine-year-old girl and engaging the same girl in sexual activity while drunk.
Gandy also admitted failing to surrender to bail when due to appear at his trial on July 5, this year.
During the hearing, the harrowing psychological effects of Gandy's crimes on his victims were set out before Judge Tom Gilbart.
Prosecuting Alaric Bossani said the first victim, who is now a mother in her 30s, had suffered 'significant and ongoing psychological harm' as a result of Gandy's historic offence.
He told Judge Gilbart: "(In her victim personal statement) she says she is constantly dwelling on the offence and says 'I'm never going to forget what happened and what he put me through'.
"She also refers to depression, mental health problems requiring prescribed medication and she began to have suicidal thoughts several years ago. She also suffers low self-esteem and low self-worth."
Mr Bossano said the other victim suffers anxiety and fear, stays in her bedroom with the curtains closed and 'harbours feelings of anger at school' and that the 'sparkle had gone out of her eyes'.
Her ordeal has interfered with her school activities as she has removed herself from the school choir and has attended counselling sessions, he said.
John Harrison, defending, said that Gandy had no prior 'relevant' convictions for sex crimes and submitted that he was 'not a dangerous offender'.
However, sentencing Gandy, Judge Gilbart, referring to the first assault, told him: "This was a repulsive incident and a gross abuse of trust.
"She lived with the knowledge of what you did and told a school friend when she was aged about eight.
"When she had a child of her own, she would break down when she was speaking to friends and went off the rails and drank to excess. And she had made preparations to end her life.
"And she suffered feelings of guilt when she discovered you had done this to someone else. The memories of what you did will always be with her."
Judge Gildart also highlighted the statement of the second victim's mother, who said her daughter 'would never be the same again'.
The judge told Gandy he posed 'a high risk of serious harm to children. I am satisfied that you are dangerous'.
He also issued a restraining order preventing Gandy from contacting any of his victims, directly or indirectly, indefinitely until any further order is made.
