One of the most senior Buddhist monks in the UK has been jailed for sexually assaulting an underage girl.

Pahalagama Somartana was sentenced to seven years in jail at Isleworth Crown Court, after being found guilty of carrying out four sexual attacks on a girl aged under ten.

The 66-year-old, who is originally from Sri Lanka, founded the Buddhist Temple on Dulverton Road, Selsdon 30 years ago.

He had denied attacks at a temple in Chiswick between 1977 and 1978, and a second string of attacks at the Croydon temple in the mid 80's.

He was cleared of the attacks in Croydon, but found guilty of the first attacks.

The court heard how Somaratana enticed his victim aged between 8 and 9 at the time, to his room with sweets before touching her.