A SEX offender from Worcestershire has been jailed for 12 years for abusing a child.

Steven Ralley, aged 46, of Linton Close, Redditch, was found guilty of eight cases of indecency with a child and 16 of indecent assault.

Following a trial at Worcester Crown Court, Judge Christopher Plunkett sitting at Birmingham Crown Court sentenced Ralley to 12 years imprisonment and ordered him to remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Ralley sexually abused the girlfrom the age of six until she was 13.

PC Kate Luebke of West Mercia Police said: “This is a substantial sentence, which we feel reflects the severity of the offences.

“The abuse has had a massive impact on the victim, now a young woman, who, in her own words, will always by scarred by what Ralley did to her.

"It took an enormous amount of courage for her to come forward.

“We hope she will take some comfort from the fact that justice has been done, and can start to pick up the pieces of her life.

“We also hope that the sentence gives some reassurance to other victims of sexual abuse and their families that the police will do all they can to ensure such offenders are brought to justice.”