A PREDATORY paedophile who subjected his victim to a decade of sexual abuse has today been jailed.

Robert Driver repeatedly raped and sexually abused the young girl over a period of ten years before she came forward to police in 2019.

The 55 year-old was arrested and subsequently charged with 12 counts of sexual offences including multiple rapes, attempted rape and sexual assault.

Driver, of Broomefield Avenue, Wallsend, pleaded guilty to all charges against him and has today been sentenced to 17 years and two months behind bars.

Detective Constable Kirsti Bunch, who led the investigation for Northumbria Police, said it was a small token of justice for the horrific abuse she has suffered.

Det Con Bunch said: "I have really struggled to comprehend how this man could possibly carry out such a vile campaign of sexual abuse on this poor girl for almost half her life.

"No one should ever be subjected to this sort of abuse and I am so proud of the victim for finally speaking out against her abuser.

"I welcome the sentence today and hope it can give her a sense of closure and mark the start of a new life for her."

Driver admitted eight counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of attempted rape.