A 30-year-old man has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of raping a young child.

Christopher Griffiths, of Vernon Street, Bolton, was found to have abused a girl under the age of 13 in High Wycombe between 2006 and 2010, which was reported to the police in 2016.

He was found guilty on Thursday (April 26) of two counts of rape of a child under 13, a count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration and a count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, following a four-day trial at Aylesbury Crown Court.

Griffiths was charged in connection with the offences on 22 September last year.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Amy Fox, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit based at Aylesbury police station, said: “The victim was subjected to horrific sexual abuse as a very young child, which has had a tremendous impact on her life.

“I would like to thank the victim for her courage, bravery and determination throughout the investigation, through to trial.

“It has been an extremely traumatic time for her and I hope that the verdict and the sentence given, brings her some faith in the criminal justice system and restores her trust in adults to protect her.

“This sentence reflects the hard work that is carried out by the Child Abuse Investigation Unit in bringing these offenders to justice and I would encourage anybody who has been a victim of childhood sexual abuse to report it to the police.

“We will listen, there is support and help available and, wherever possible, offenders will be prosecuted. If you wish to report an offence you can call Thames Valley Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”