A PAEDOPHILE who sexually abused a young girl over the course of a decade has been jailed for 21 years.

Graham Gill, 68, carried out the horrific abuse on his young victim during the 1970s and 1980s in the Leyland area.

He has now been jailed, thanks to the bravery of the victim who came forward to report the abuse and the tenacity of the Detective Constable who investigated the case.

Gill had denied the offences but was found guilty by a jury following a week-long trial at Preston Crown Court.

The jury unanimously found him guilty of 16 counts – ten of indecent assault, four of rape and two other sexual offences. The victim was aged between six and 16 at the time.

Gill, of Sandringham Avenue, Leyland, was sentenced on January 14 to 21-years and will serve two thirds of that sentence before he is eligible to apply for parole.

Enza Geldard, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the CPS North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: "Graham Gill is a depraved, controlling and manipulative man who subjected a young girl to persistent sexual abuse, and physical abuse over ten years during her formative years, which devastated her entire childhood and her aspirations as an adult.

"I would like to commend this incredibly brave woman for finding the strength to report the abuse after carrying the burden of what had happened to her for decades, and furthermore standing up to him at the trial. I hope she can now begin to move on with her life.

"I also wish to extend my gratitude to DC 4266 Michelle Thompson of the Vulnerability and Exploitation Team for her valued work on this case."

Michelle Thompson, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Child Protection Unit, said: "Gill is an abhorrent offender who subjected his young victim to systematic and violent sexual abuse over a lengthy period.

"I would like to commend her for her courage in both coming forward to report this horrific abuse and in facing her abuser through the court process.

"I hope that this conviction and sentence gives others who may have suffered similar abuse to come forward.

"Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating allegations of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally."