A “VILE and dangerous” paedophile has been caged for 20 years for putting a young girl through a prolonged and horrific ordeal.

Andrew Iveson, a relationship therapist, started abusing the youngster when she was under ten.

The 48-year-old, from Anchorage Hill, Richmond, even forced his pet dog on her, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Iveson denied nine child sex offences, eleven counts of rape and five other sexual offences but was found guilty after a trial.

He was sentenced to 20 years behind bars and was put on the sex offenders’ list for life.

Matthew Bean, prosecuting, told the court on one occasion the defendant had bribed his victim to be his “sex slave” for three hours and would not let her leave until she had performed sex acts on him.

The court heard the victim eventually moved away from the area and reported the abuse to police.

His victim told the court said she feared she would never get over what happened.

“I felt ashamed about what I did,” she said in a victim impact statement. “I wanted to end my life, I had to start a new one away from my past,” she said.

Following sentencing Detective Inspector Shaun Page condemned Iveson for the ordeal he had subjected his victim to.

“Andrew Iveson is guilty of some of the most horrific abuse I have ever dealt with during my 19 years as a police officer,” he said.

“The ordeal he put his victim through when she should have been enjoying her childhood was downright evil and I can only describe him as a monster.”

He added: “I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the victim for coming forward and telling the police what happened to her.

“Her courage has ensured that a vile and dangerous paedophile has been jailed for a long period of time.

“I hope that she can now begin to rebuild her life with the knowledge that justice has been done.”

He said the inquiry had been a sensitive and harrowing one and commended the investigating officer, Detective Constable Gillian Gowling, for her professionalism and dedication.