A Belfast man who has already served six months for sexually abusing his present wife's children was sent back to prison for three years yesterday when he admitted similar offences against a previous step-daughter from the age of four.
The 47-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the girl, pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to eight counts of indecent assault and eight of indecent conduct between 1972 and 1980.
Judge Frank Russell was told the defendant had been jailed in 1993 for similar offences against the children of his present wife, and since his release had attended the probation centre for treatment. A defence lawyer said the defendant had been abused as a child and believed it had done him no harm.
The man was jailed for 18 months for indecent assault, with an additional 18 months for indecent conduct.