Man jailed for grooming and sexually exploiting child

A man has been jailed for nine years after grooming and sexually exploiting a child over a six-month period.

Craig Coney, 37, from Devizes, Wiltshire, was found guilty of sexually exploiting a 15-year-old girl on 13 occasions. He was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday.

Coney will also be added to the sex offenders register.

Wiltshire Police's Det Con Graham Mansell said: "I hope this case can inspire confidence that victims of child sexual exploitation will be believed, the police will be tenacious in the pursuit of justice."

Police praised the courage of the victim, who they said showed "incredible bravery in giving evidence of the most distressing and traumatic incidents of being sexually exploited by a man more than twice her age".

"To find the strength to stand up to her abuser is nothing less than awe-inspiring," Det Con Mansell added.

"I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may have been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to police."

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