step-granddaughter.

The confession was made in Magistrates' Court yesterday by the retiree, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The court heard how the retiree fondled the girl's breasts and put his tongue in her mouth while he was watching her after-school and asked her if she liked it one afternoon last August.

She pushed him away but he came back a short time later and did it again.

After the assault Harvey told the girl: "It's our secret.'' The girl made several attempts to call her parents but was not able to reach them.

Her mother arrived shortly after and on the way home, the young girl told her mother.

Police went to the retiree's Ewing Street home in Pembroke later that evening and arrested him.

Initially the man denied the charge, telling Police: "I don't know what you're talking about.'' Later under caution, he admitted to the crime and said he was sorry.

In court yesterday duty counsel Peter Farge said to Senior Magistrate Archie Warner: "Maybe you'd feel inclined to order a social inquiry report. Some people when they get old -- strange things -- might be the case here.'' Crown counsel Graveney Bannister told Mr. Warner that he did not object to bail as long as conditions were set.

"On condition that the defendant is not to interfere with the victim or any immediate members of the victim's family,'' he said Mr. Warner set bail at $2,000 and ordered a social inquiry report on the retiree. Sentencing is set for October.