Paedophile David Foot was today starting an eight-year prison sentence for raping and indecently assaulting a teenager.

Foot, 52, of Abbot Road, Didcot, had subjected the girl from a very young age to abuse which had resulted in profound psychological effects.

He pleaded guilty in February to three charges of indecent assault and one of rape on the girl between March 18, 1986, and December 31, 1992.

Oxford Crown Court heard that Foot subjected the girl to repeated attacks culminating in her rape when she was 14.

Prosecutor Tony McGeorge told the court the victim remembered being assaulted by Foot as the two of them sat on the sofa.

Mr McGeorge said the assaults had become a regular occurrence whenever Foot and the girl were alone together.

The final attack came between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1992 when Foot had raped the girl on the sofa.

After the attacks, the girl underwent a dramatic personality change and had even tried suicide.

Nicholas Syfret, defending, said: "Right from the outset he (Foot) appreciated the awfulness of what he had done. His remorse is very genuine.

"There was no suggestion of undue violence towards the girl and he is heartily ashamed of himself."

Story date: Tuesday 09 March

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