SMETHPORT — An Eldred man will serve three to 18 months in McKean County Jail for allegations of indecent assault.

George A. Smith, 81, was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court before President Judge John Pavlock.

In addition, Smith is to register for his lifetime as a sexual offender and complete 20 hours of community service. He is to have no contact with the victim or unsupervised contact with any juveniles.

On Dec. 20, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age for allegations that between Jan. 1, 2015, and July 18, 2018, Smith engaged in an inappropriate course of conduct when the victim was between the ages of 11 and 15.

Smith said he was “truly sorry for what happened,” saying “This has never happened before, I swear on the Bible.”

When preparing to sentence Smith, Pavlock said he will consider that Smith has no prior record, but he would also consider “harm to the victim. That will be with her forever.”

Pavlock suggested that Smith “reach out for help to make sure nothing like this happens again.”

He ordered that Smith undergo a mental health evaluation as part of his sentence.