A 101-year-old paedophile who sexually abused a schoolgirl 40 years ago has been ordered to pay her £25,000 in compensation.
But Douglas Hammersley, who will turn 102 this month, has been spared jail for molesting his young victim during the 1970s.
The woman, now in her 40s, went to the police after his family threw him a party for his 100th birthday last year and the event was reported in a local newspaper.
She was praised for her bravery and courage during the sentencing hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court
on Monday.
Hammersley, who was excused from attending, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, placed on the sex offender register and ordered to pay £25,000 compensation.
Judge Francis Sheridan said: "To award compensation is wholly unusual in a case like this but the young victim has carried this cross of abuse for year upon year upon year.
"She very properly complained to anyone that would listen.
"She has waited a very long time for justice but I hope justice is what she has got.
"She was telling the truth the whole way through, from the first complaint to the last.
"For that I applaud her for her steadfastness in getting justice."
Judge Sheridan told the victim: "You are a brave woman and I applaud your determination to get justice.
"I hope now you can leave feeling that ultimately you have been vindicated for persevering and hope you have seen justice done."
Hammersley, of New Malden in Surrey, said he had no memory of the time around the attacks.
He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14, in 1977 and 1979.
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