A 64-year-old man who indecently assaulted a seven-year-old girl twice in one day has been jailed for six months.

Norman Bennett had admitted the charges at a previous hearing and appeared for sentence before Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Friday.

Prosecuting, Barry Hargreaves, said the assaults took place two hours apart at Southminister, near Maldon, on May 6.

Mitigating, Tim Stone, said Bennett's marriage of 40 years had ended because of what had happened.

"He hugely regrets it and knows it should never have happened. He yielded to an overpowering temptation and is very, very remorseful."

Bennett was living in Stourton Road, Witham, when he first appeared in court but gave his address as Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, on Friday.

Magistrates jailed him for six months on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.

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