A WOMAN who was abused by a paedophile when she was a child has described her attacker as “manipulative and dangerous”.

She spoke as Gavin Wright, 50, of Norfolk Way in Uckfield, was jailed for his crimes.

He subjected her as a ten-year-old girl to a series of sexual assaults for more than a year 16 years ago.

He had sought to gain her confidence before going on to systematically abuse her for his own sexual gratification.

Wright was convicted of six sexual assaults and for possessing and distributing indecent images of children and was sentenced to seven years in prison at Chichester Crown Court.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she found the courage to tell police what happened to “expose him for what he is to the world - manipulative and dangerous - and ensure that what I went through is never allowed to be repeated and affect the life of any other young person".

She said: “No person deserves to have any of this happen to them. He deserves to face the consequences of his actions now and in the future.”

The Argus: Gavin Wright was jailed for seven yearsGavin Wright was jailed for seven years

After Wright was arrested, police found indecent images of children being abused in his possession and discovered that another sex offender was messaging him and sending images, which he then sent on to others.

Wright will be a registered sex offender for life, issued with a restraining order to prohibit contact with his victim, and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order - restricting his access to children and digital devices.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison; four and a half years for the sexual assaults and an additional two and a half years for his online offending.

A police spokesman said that victims of historic sexual offences can come to police “at any time, no matter how long after the events”.

He said: “Contact Sussex Police on 101 and arrange to speak in confidence to experienced investigators.

“Your report will be taken seriously and followed up to try and seek justice, and you will also be given access to independent sources of advice.”