July 2006 Pervert who abused young girl jailed for seven years A PERVERT who wore surgical gloves when he carried out sex attacks on his young victim has been jailed for seven years. Stephen Thompson, 38, would cover his hand in the thin plastic sheaths when he attacked the youngster, starting when she was just five. Newcastle Crown Court heard how the campaign of abuse continued over three years and happened on “repeated occasions”. Thompson denied two charges of indecent assault, but was found guilty by a jury. Defence barrister Paul Cross told the court: “This defendant continues to deny the offences.” Judge David Hodson yesterday sentenced Thompson, of Cirencester Street, Millfield, Sunderland, to seven years behind bars and extended his licence period by two years. The judge banned him from ever working with children and ordered he must register as a sex offender for life. Judge Hodson told him; “On occasions you wore surgical gloves to commit the offences, quite why is unclear to anyone. “You still do not acknowledge you were responsible for these offences, but I am sure you appreciate this court has to be loyal to the verdict of the jury which concluded you were responsible for these offences.” The court heard how medical evidence had backed-up the youngster’s claims.