A DRIVER who sexually abused a six-year-old girl has been sent back to prison for seven years.

Ian Skilling was sentenced to his second jail term for child sex offences in less than ten years after being found guilty of abusing the girl in the village of Steyning.

The 49-year-old from Portslade breached the conditions of a ten-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order which was put in place a Lewes Crown Court in March 2010.

Police from West Sussex Safeguarding Unit said Skilling had befriended the girl’s family, then took the opportunity to abuse their trust.

He sexually touched the “small girl” under her clothing.

Previously he was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2010 when he was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.

But despite the order that imposed severe restrictions on him contacting children under 16, he was still able to abuse the girl.

He was found guilty of the further offences at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday.

The charges included sexual assault on a small girl, and three counts of breaching the conditions of a Sexual Offence Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Craig Wilkie said: “Skilling came to know and befriend the family and clearly took an opportunity when visiting the Steyning area to be alone with the small girl who he sexually assaulted by touching under clothing.

“When her family picked up on some remarks the girl made several months later, they realised what had happened and immediately contacted the police.”

Skilling, of Wolseley Road in Portslade, was jailed for seven years for sexual assault, alongside concurrent sentences for breaching the order.

He will now be a registered sex offender for life, and was put under terms of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.