A pensioner who admitted sexually assaulting a young girl has been jailed at Lincoln Crown Court.
Terence MacKenzie abused the seven-year-old earlier this year while he was living in the Spalding area.
Henry James, prosecuting, said the offences came to light when the young girl told her mother who called in police.
MacKenzie was arrested and when officers interviewed him he made a confession.
MacKenzie, 67, who formerly lived in the Spalding area but gave an address in Maybank Avenue, Hornchurch, Essex, admitted three charges of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13.
He was jailed for four years and placed on the sex offenders’ regsiter for life.
He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Stuart Lody, in mitigation, told the court “He is a 67 year old man of previous good character. He has ruined his life.
“It is inexplicable. He has no explanation that he can give me for what he did.
“He finds it very difficult to come to terms with the fact that he enjoyed it.
“This has destroyed his relationship. His wife packed his bags and threw him out.
“He went to live with his aged mother and has been looking after her. She is now in a care home having had a fall.”
Mr Lody said that MacKenzie had shown some remorse and had pleaded guilty.
