A ‘DANGEROUS’ sex offender who raped ‘a vulnerable little girl’ and exposed her to years of abuse has been jailed for 18 years.

Police said John Thomas Grimshaw, 59, of All Springs Drive, Great Harwood, was a ‘sinister’ offender following his sentencing at Preston Crown Court.

Officers said Grimshaw started abusing the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when she was just five and it continued until she was 11.

Following a trial by jury, Grimshaw was convicted of one count of rape, two counts of attempted rape and 11 counts of indecent assault on a female.

Grimshaw denied committing the offences.

The court heard all the offences were committed against the same girl.

Police launched an investigation in to the allegations when the woman came forward in April last year.

The abuse was said to have been carried out an address in East Lancashire.

DC Sarah Hargreaves said: “Grimshaw is a dangerous sex offender who poses a significant risk to children.

“These were despicable offences committed against a vulnerable little girl.

“This ordeal was made all the more sinister by Grimshaw’s insistence of innocence which resulted in his victim having to give evidence before a jury.

“I wholeheartedly commend her bravery in coming forward and reporting this to the police.

“This case demonstrates that the passage of time is not a barrier to justice.”

Grimshaw was sentenced to 18 years in jail for the rape and given a further 13 years, to be served concurrently, for each of the attempted rape charges.

He has also been made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, told to sign the Sexual Offenders Register indefinitely and has had a further year added to his parole.

A forfeiture and destruction order was also made for Grimshaw’s computer equipment.