A MAN has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of raping a child.

Karl Anthony Wood, formerly of Nelson and most recently of no fixed abode, subjected his female victim to ‘a horrific catalogue of abuse over a number of years’.

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Wood appeared before a judge at Burnley Crown Court earlier this week where he was also convicted of carrying out eight sexual assaults on the same girl, who can not be named for legal reasons.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the sexual attacks started in 2012 when the girl was just nine and only stopped when he was arrested in 2015.

The rape happened when the girl was 12.

As well as sentencing Wood to 10 years’ imprisonment, Judge Simon Newell also made him subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

The 30-year-old must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Wood was arrested on August 18, last year, and charged the following day.

He appeared before Burnley Magistrates’ Court on August 20 and was sent for trial at Burnley Crown Court.

He was denied bail and has been in custody since August 18.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Inspector Julie Cross said: “I would like to thank the jury for their consideration in this case and to praise the hard work of the Crown Prosecution Service which has helped secure this conviction, alongside the tireless work of the child protection officers of Lancashire Constabulary.

“Wood subjected his victim to a horrific catalogue of abuse over a number of years and I welcome this significant term of imprisonment which reflects the gravity of his offending.”

Victims of sexual assaults are encourage to call police on 101.