A paedophile has been sentenced to 18 years in jail for sexually assaulting a girl.

Stephen Keen was found guilty of assualting the young girl over nearly a decade until 2011.

The 53-year-old appeared at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, March 21.

Keen, of Collingwood Close, Peacehaven, was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the girl, who is now a teenager.

Detective Constable Katherine Upton said; "This was a very distressing case. The victim whilst helpless endured years of abuse from Keen and it was only in 2012 that she felt able to tell other people.

"We immediately investigated and, working with the local authority childrens' services, uncovered what had happened to her. The experience is likely to affect her for the rest of her life.

"Keen pleaded not guilty throughout and the courage of the victim in giving evidence, with the support of special measures to help her in court, including the use of her principal evidence by video recording, was key in securing his conviction.

"We encourage victims of such experiences to come to us in confidence, and admire their increasing readiness to do so. Their reports are treated sensitively and professionally and we can help them get access to further support and counselling."