A man who raped a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison.
Ian Shepherd, 51, of Clumber Street in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (August 24) having pleaded guilty to four counts of rape on Tuesday (August 22).
He originally denied the offences, which were reported in March 2017, but changed his plea on the first day of trial.
Detective Constable Mary Foster said: “Shepherd is a very manipulative, evil, dishonest individual who is capable of committing such horrific abuse on a child.
“The victim and her family have shown such strength and bravery in reporting what had happened and seeing the case through court and we hope it encourages other victims to come forward.
“We hope the family can find some closure from the outcome today and move forward.”
As well as the prison sentence, he also received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
An NSPCC spokesman said: “Shepherd is rightly behind bars for carrying out a sickening crime against a young girl.
“Child sexual abuse can have lifelong consequences so it is crucial the victim in this case gets access to the necessary support needed to help her overcome what has happened to her.
“It is because of her bravery in coming forward that justice has been served.
“This shows that survivors of non-recent child sexual abuse will be listened to when they speak out.”
