A guitar teacher who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Alejandro Alvarez groomed and molested the child in 2002 and 2003.

And the court heard that since the offending the 63-year-old Argentinean had been convicted of performing a sex act in front of teenage girls on a bus.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the victim was living in Wroughton at the time of the offending. He said that the youngster got on well with the defendant, who often used to visit their house.

She told how he kissed her passionately and repeatedly got her to perform sex acts on him.

Alvarez, who would have been nearly 50 at the time, rubbed his naked genitals against hers.

When he was arrested and questioned he immediately told officers ‘it’s true’ and even admitted more than she had alleged.

Mr Meeke said as a consequence of the abuse the victim had found it difficult to trust people, especially men, making it hard to form friendships.

She wrote “For many years I have had to carry the guilt, embarrassment and shame of this sexual abuse. It has led to severe low self esteem and low self confidence.”

The victim, now a woman in her late 20s, said she suffered social anxiety and is still undergoing therapy 16 years later. She has also suffered eating disorders.

“The impact of being sexually abused has had a devastating affect on my life,” she said in her statement.

“I feel robbed of my childhood and young adult years and if I had not been put through this I would have a happier healthier life.”

Alvarez, of Sevenfields, Highworth, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault.

The court heard in 2007 he was convicted of outraging public decency following the incident on a bus.

Chris Smyth, defending, said his client had immediately admitted what he had done and accepted it was wrong.

He said that his client was not ‘attracted to children, per se’ but had inappropriate feelings to the victim at the time.

He said his client, who presents as a mild-mannered man, has a job and is also a talented musician who has performed professionally.

Jailing him Judge Robert Pawson said “She was by definition vulnerable. She was aged 13 and you were 48.

“She describes grooming. There is no issue of her consent. She was a child of 13.”