A paedophile pensioner who sexually abused a six-year-old girl has been jailed for seven years and is likely to die in prison.

Thomas Cattermole, 84, was sentenced by Judge Christopher Parker QC at Southampton Crown Court, who described his behaviour as "monstrous." The judge said Cattermole, who suffers from several illnesses, is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The court heard that Cattermole targeted two girls, one in the 1960s and another in 2017. His first campaign of abuse began in the early 1960s, when he forced his six-year-old victim to perform sexual acts on him. He also sexually touched her when she was 15.

Cattermole's victim said the abuse had left her with suicidal thoughts, stating, "I wanted to escape the abuse that haunted me. Childhood should hold the happiest memories, but that isn't the case for me." She disclosed the abuse out of fear of Cattermole.

In 2017, Cattermole attempted to abuse another six-year-old girl, who was described as "especially vulnerable." He invited her to sexually touch him on multiple occasions. The abuse was disclosed by the girl, leading to Cattermole's arrest and his first victim coming forward.

Cattermole denied the allegations but was found guilty of three counts of indecency with a child, one count of indecent assault, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

His defense argued that Cattermole suffered from several illnesses, including hypertension and diabetes, and would likely die in prison. They stated, "For him, it is a bitter end to a life which, other than this, has been lived working and getting on with things in a relatively unobtrusive and unremarkable way. His offending has caused desperate pain, not only to his victims, but to his wife."

Judge Parker acknowledged that Cattermole had to be sentenced for his historic offences according to the legislation at the time, which carried significantly lower sentences. He described Cattermole's behaviour as "outrageous."

"Your victim grew up bearing the scars of your abuse and kept it from others for years. She was wrongly, but understandably, feeling ashamed. She had nothing to be ashamed about, you had much to be ashamed about. (Your second victim) you must have understood she was especially vulnerable," Judge Parker said.

Cattermole, of Victoria Road, Netley Abbey, will serve three and a half years of his seven-year sentence behind bars, followed by an additional one-year extended licence period.