Man jailed for 21 years over child sex offences

Keith Williams was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday

A man has been given a 21-year prison sentence after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault offences against a young girl.

Keith Williams, 60, of Tintern Close, Eastbourne, abused the victim when she was under 13, police said. He has been placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Williams, who was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday after being convicted in August, was jailed for 20 years, with an extra year on extended licence.

Det Sgt Nick Green, from the Eastbourne Safeguarding Investigations Unit, praised the victim's "tremendous bravery and courage" in coming forward.

The attacks were reported to police in May 2020 after the victim told a family member.

The girl - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - has received support from specially trained officers.

Det Sgt Green said: "Thanks to her resilience, we have been able to secure this conviction.

"This has been a deeply upsetting case and I hope she can now start to rebuild her life.”

He urged any victim of rape or sexual assault to report it to police.