A paedophile who raped and abused a girl was today jailed for eight years.

Paul Allison, of Collinwood Road, Risinghurst, admitted a string of sex offences after his victim reported his abuse to the police.

Oxford Crown Court heard the 54-year-old British Telecom worker committed grossly indecent acts before abusing her.

Referring to his victim, Fiona Horlick, prosecuting, said: “It has affected her very badly.”

Allison admitted three charges of rape, seven of gross indecency, six of indecent assault, one of making indecent photographs of children and one of having indecent photographs of children.

He denied a further three charges of rape, which were ordered to lie on the court file.

Tony McGeorge, defending, said: “He cannot put forward any real explanation for why this occurred. All he can do is express his regret and apologise.”

Judge Patrick Eccles jailed Allison for eight years and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

He said: “You stole her childhood from her. You humiliated her by these acts and devalued her humanity.

“It will take her a long time to recover, if ever she does.”

Speaking after the case, Det Sgt Steve Birchall said: “I want to thank the victim for her bravery in reporting this offence and having the dignity and strength of character in seeing it through.

“These are horrible offences and he got a sentence reflecting that