A PAEDOPHILE who put a10-year-old girl through a horrifying rape ordeal wept as he was jailed for eight years.

Kenneth Smith, aged 66, was arrested last November, after his victim told her father what happened during a row about smoking.

Smith, of Bank Place, Elton, Bury, had attacked her at his house while his wife was out, Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, was told. She kept her ordeal a secret until she was caught smoking in her bedroom by her father.

The girl, now aged 14, said she smoked because she was under stress. She broke down and confessed she had been raped. Her family alerted the NSPCC and police were called in.

Smith, who has no previous convictions, later told police: "I know what I did was wrong."

He admitted rape and indecent assault. He sobbed throughout the hearing, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register.

In mitigation, defence counsel Mr John Chaplin said it would be impossible to assess the damage caused to the victim. He said Smith had "covered himself in shame" and added that he hoped his "courageous" guilty plea would help the girl's healing process.

"He is disgusted at his behaviour and he cannot explain why he did it," added Mr Chaplin.