Police have welcomed the lengthy prison sentence imposed on a predatory sex offender for his serial abuse of a young girl over a number of years.

The officer who led the police investigation into the activities of Allen March said his conviction and the 23-year custodial sentence imposed at Durham Crown Court this week vindicated his vulnerable victim, who had feared she would not be believed.

During his trial, the court was told now 58-year-old March, of Orchard Street, Crook, was aware of the victim’s vulnerabilities, having known she had previously been the subject of online grooming.

The court heard he, “tested the waters”, by sending her a complimentary message about her body and breasts, before moving on to inappropriate touching and then sexual activity, culminating in rape.

Read more: Crook sex offender found guilty of 18 offences in May trial

Despite being concerned she would not be believed, the victim finally raised the courage to report the incidents, leading to March’s arrest in 2021.

In interview he denied the offences, telling detectives the girl was lying.

The former taxi driver pleaded not guilty to a total of 18 charges, including three of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, five of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, four of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, four of sexual assault and four of rape.

The Northern Echo: Jailed sex offender Allen March, 61, ex-taxi driver from Crook

During his trial, the victim gave in-depth evidence of all the assaults and the jury also heard how March had previously sent an image of his penis to another teenage girl as well as sending a sexual message to a 17-year-old girl who had been a passenger in his taxi.

In her impact statement, read to the sentencing hearing, the victim said the abuse had such an effect on her mental health that she had felt suicidal.

She stated: “For years I genuinely thought that nobody would believe me when I spoke up.

“At the time it felt awful, feeling like I had to be silent. I felt really alone.”

“The trauma will always be with me, even now he has been found guilty I don't see how I could ever forget what has happened.”

The jury found March guilty of all the offences following a week-long trial in May and Judge James Adkin imposed the 24-year sentence, 23 of which are custodial with a further year on extended licence, at the court on Wednesday (August 9).

March will have to spend at least two-thirds of the sentence in custody.

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He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and he was made subject of a 30-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him from contacting anyone under the age of 18.

A lifetime restraining order also prevents him from ever contacting or approaching his victim.

Detective Constable Helen Towns, of Durham Police, who led the investigation, said: “The complainant in this case was always worried she would not be heard as, by her own admission, she had a history of struggling with her behaviour and mental health.

“The justice system is getting better at recognising that often it is these vulnerabilities that sadly causes offenders to think they will not be reported or held accountable, and offenders will use this to try to discredit their victims.

“Along with the victim’s detailed and compelling evidence, exploring the defendant’s behaviour rather than just focusing on hers alone, has resulted in the jury being able to be sure of March’s actions.

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“The strength the complainant and her family have shown throughout the investigation and trial is to be commended.”

Victims of sexual abuse have been urged to come forward and report it to police, either using the 101 number, or in an emergency by calling 999.

For anyone unwilling to initially speak to the police, help and advice is available by contacting the Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC), by visiting www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk, or calling 0300-222 5730, to speak to someone immediately.