Man who sexually abused young girl jailed

A Lincolnshire man convicted of sexually abusing a young girl has been jailed for 12 years.

Nathan Halford, 31, from Louth, appeared earlier at Lincoln Crown Court.

In addition to his sentence, Halford was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for life.

He was convicted of six sexual offences following a trial in May.

The court heard Halford was reported to police after the victim made disclosures to family members and at school, but had denied the offences.

Alice Ibbotson, prosecuting, said the victim, who cannot be named to protect her anonymity, had suffered "psychological harm".

This included night terrors and problems controlling her anger, the court was told.

The offences included two charges of assault by penetration and four counts of sexual assault on a child aged under 13 between October 2021 and July 2022.

Passing sentence, Judge James House KC noted Halford had continued to deny his offending.

"He exhibits no remorse, or appreciates the damage he has caused," the judge added.

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