A PAEDOPHILE already serving 12 years in prison for raping and abusing a young girl has had six months added to his jail term after admitting indecently assaulting another seven-year-old child.

Sentencing 81-year-old Joseph Hancock for the indecent assault, Judge Richard Gioserano told him: “Whilst the physical nature of the sexual abuse may be limited in comparison to other acts of sexual abuse there is, nevertheless, a great deal of harm caused here which the courts cannot overlook.”

Gavin Howie, prosecuting, told how the girl had been befriended by Hancock and fell asleep in the living room of his flat in Aldercroft Avenue, Breightmet, in the early 1980s. She woke in Hancock’s bed with him touching her leg.

“She felt as if he was trying to take her knickers off. She started to cry,” said Mr Howie, who added that Hancock then stopped touching her. Hancock went on to abuse other children, for which he has been sentenced, and the victim only felt able to tell police what had happened to her last year. When questioned he initially denied committing the offence. “He was looking back to a period almost 40 years ago and the name meant nothing to him,” said Brian McKenna, defending.

Hancock was due to be freed on licence in September but will not now be let out of jail until the end of the year.