A REDDITCH man has been jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing a child.

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

Following an earlier trial at Worcester Crown Court, he was jailed by for 12 years and ordered to remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely by Judge Christopher Plunkett, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, September 28.

Ralley sexually abused the girl, who was known to him, from when she was aged just 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 and go through the further ordeal of giving evidence in court.

"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."