A retired Bradford doctor who "ruined the life" of a young girl when he sexually assaulted her 30 years ago has been jailed for nine years.

Ahmed Masood, 71, of Lampards Close, Allerton, was a well-respected GP and hospital doctor in the district until his recent retirement.

Sentencing him yesterday at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Christopher Batty said the offences might have happened a long time ago, but he told Masood: "The impact of your offending is as apparent today as it has ever been.”

The victim had suffered depression and made attempts on her life, the court heard. “She has suffered severe psychological harm because of what you have done to her," Judge Batty said.

Masood was found guilty by a jury at Bradford Crown Court last month on six charges of indecent assault when the girl was aged between seven and 10. In addition to the jail term, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Judge Batty said character witnesses had described Masood as a “competent, charismatic character" who was "honourable and a gentleman.”

But he said behind the "charisma and respected professional life was a much darker side.”

When the victim was about seven or eight, Masood became sexually attracted to the girl, whom he knew through her parents, the court heard.

“You were not prepared to keep such urges to yourself, instead you sought out opportunities to be alone with her in order to abuse her.

“You abused the trust of her parents in the most horrific way."

The Judge said the abuse had occurred on "a number of occasions over a significant period of time and it also happened at a hospital in Ilkley where you worked and had accommodation.”

He said the psychological impact on his victim had been long lasting and her life had been irreparably damaged.

Judge Batty recalled how the victim sobbed uncontrollably after she told her story to the jury.

The jury heard Masood told the terrified child her parents would drop dead if she did not keep quiet about the abuse against her.

Masood’s medical career saw him work for the Leeds Health Authority and then at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

He also worked at Middleton Hospital near Ilkley between 1978 and 1983 before later setting up a GP practice at Bertram Road, Manningham. From 2006, he had worked at Whetley Hill Medical Centre, on Saplin Street, Bradford.

He denied the allegations and said he was flabbergasted when accused. Katherine Pierepoint representing him told the judge he understood there would a jail term and was particularly concerned for his wife who was in poor health.

After the case the victim, now in her 30s, stood next to a friend who said: “She is happy he has got a nine year sentence. The one thing she would have liked is for him to show some remorse.

“She would have liked a 'sorry' from him if nothing else.

“The one thing she feels very strongly about is that any people who suffered this as children, they don’t sit for 30 years and keep it to themselves. It’s destroyed the whole family and her life.”

Detective Constable Sonia Hutchinson, of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, said: "The victim was initially reluctant to report Masood's crimes, but with the support of family and friends and our specially trained officers she finally felt able to do so.

"She has lived with this for more than 30 years, and we would like to thank her for the courage she has shown in coming forward.