Man who 'destroyed innocence' of girl jailed
Paedophile Graham Hart will be on the sex offenders register for life
- Published
A man has been jailed for 17 years after admitting multiple sexual offences against a child.
Graham Hart, 78, of Bransdale Road, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to 17 offences including sexual assault on a child and attempting to rape a child under the age of 13.
Hart was sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday. He will be on the sex offenders register for life.
The victim said: "Those are years that I will never get back, it has changed my life irreparably."
As well as the sexual assaults, Hart pleaded guilty to one count of possessing prohibited images of children, six counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and two counts of attempting to rape a child under 13.
Det Sgt Gemma Pearce said: "His actions were calculated and predatory, involving repeated abuse where he coerced a young girl into performing sexual acts.
"He exerted control over her, using his position of authority and manipulation to ensure she remained silent about his crimes.
"Hart's manipulation extended beyond the physical abuse, by recording his offences and later showing her select footage, he reinforced his control, deepening his influence over her.
"The lasting effects of his crimes continue to impact her life."
'Lasting impact'
The victim said Hart's offending had "destroyed the innocence" of her childhood and said the trauma continues to impact her life in all areas.
"The suffering he put me through has had a lasting impact on my education and mental wellbeing, I have lost out on achieving qualifications due to what he did to me," she said.
The victim added: "In spite of the trauma he has put me through, I am fighting to prevent his actions from affecting the rest of my life into adulthood.
"If you have experienced something similar, please speak up, there is support available, and your voice matters."
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