A 74-year-old has been told he will likely die in prison after admitting to a string of sexual attacks on girls  - including one as young as five.

Brian Daniels (74) was already serving 18 years in prison after being convicted of a string of attacks on four young girls.

However, as his sentence neared its end, three more victims bravely came forward and spoke out.

Daniels had been due to be released on license in May, but confessed to 11 historical sexual offences when confronted with the new allegations.

The youngest of his victims was just five years old.

The predator, formerly of Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, September 18, and was jailed for a further six years and nine months.

During the hearing, he was made to listen to a statement from his youngest victim in which she spoke of night terrors and her desire for justice.

The statement, read out by prosecutors, said: “I want him to know that I haven’t forgotten what he did.

“I have lived with this for nearly 20 years and I want him to pay for what he has done.

“I do not want him to think he has got away with this.”

Daniels was also handed a life-long sexual harm prevention order, and will be made to sign the sex offender's register for life if he is released.

However, during his sentencing hearing on Friday, his defence team told the court that he had been battling serious health issues and is likely to die behind bars.

Detective Constable Sarah Murphy led the investigation for Northumbria Police and said she hoped the case proved it was never too late to come forward.

She said: "I very much welcome the sentence handed down by the judge as I know how much it means to the victims to finally have justice after all these years.

“I commend their bravery and thank them for speaking out. Their actions could inspire victims of abuse across the region to come forward and talk about what has happened to them.

"I understand there are victims who perhaps think they won't be listened to, or feel like we can’t investigate offences that took place decades ago.

“This is absolutely not the case and the sentencing of Brian Daniels proves just that. It is never too late to come forward.

“We can still seek justice for those who have suffered and we actively urge victims to speak out - it's never too late to come forward.”