The family of a seven-year-old girl indecently assaulted by her baby-sitter today branded his 30-month sentence a "disgrace".

Furious relatives called the sentence "ridiculous" and said they feared David James Downey, 41, could be out of prison in a year.

Paedophile Downey, of Kirkwall Drive, Holme Wood, Bradford, had pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting the girl in December last year.

He was found guilty at Bradford Crown Court last month and was yesterday sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.

Sentencing Downey, Judge Dobkin said: "You were placed in a position of trust to baby-sit and while in that position the jury found you guilty of indecent assault.

"This was a serious assault on a young girl and a breach of trust."

Judge Dobkin said the girl was examined by a doctor following the assault and her injuries were described as "of a severe nature".

The grandfather of the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he was angry at the sentence.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "Thirty months is nothing. We believed he would get between five and seven years. The only thing we hope now is that other victims may come forward."

The grandfather said the girl had made a good recovery since the attack.

"Fortunately it happened close to Christmas and she was looking forward to Santa Claus coming," he said. "It took her mind off the attack.

"My worry now is that he could be out in a year's time and he could re-offend. I think it's disgraceful."

Jobless Downey is now placed on the national sex offenders' register for life and will have to contact the police when he is released from jail with details of where he is living.

A resident in Holme Wood, who knew Downey, said he was a quiet man and many people on the estate were shocked when they heard of the indecent assault.

"We were very surprised," said the resident, who asked not to be named. "But now I have heard what happened, I think they should lock him up and throw away the key."

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