A MAN who indecently assaulted a young girl when he was a 15-year-old schoolboy is starting a two-year jail sentence.

At Bolton Crown Court, a jury had found 50-year-old Michael Worrall guilty of the crime, committed in 1980, when he was aged 15 and the girl was aged between eight and 10.

Jailing him, Judge Peter Davies said the offence would be classed as rape today and longer sentences would be applicable, but he had to deal with Worrall using the law which was in force at the time.

Graham Robinson, defending, said Worrall, of New Chapel Lane, Horwich, still denies committing the indecent assault despite being found guilty.

The court had heard how the then teenager bought his victim presents and told her not to tell anyone what had happened.

As well as the prison sentence, Worrall will be placed on the sex offenders register, barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, and ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.