A pensioner, who repeatedly raped a young victim, was today starting an eight-year jail sentence.

Peter Benson, 67, of Parsonage Lane, Laindon, was said to have raped the girl "on numerous occasions" from when she was nine. She has just turned 17.

The paedophile, who has serious hernia and angina problems, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to seven sample counts of rape.

Prosecutor David Holborn told how the girl's boyfriend asked why she was crying and what was wrong.

As she wiped away the tears she described how she had become a sex victim -- and named Benson as her attacker.

Judge Roger Chapple told him: "This was a dreadfully sad case from every point of view."

He said it was sad for the victim he had abused and it was sad for Benson who had previously been a hard-working man of good character.

The judge added the offences were "despicable and damaging" towards the girl, but gave him credit for pleading guilty and sparing his victim the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

Benson's name will be placed on the national sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.