A paedophile from Thame who abused a young girl over a 10 year period has been jailed for 16 years.

Damien Baker has been described as a "predatory and dangerous" sex offender who sexually abused a child for a decade.

Baker, 39, was found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault on a girl and two counts of rape of a girl at Oxford Crown Court in November.

He returned to the same court on Thursday (December 13) and was sentenced to 16 years’ behind bars with an additional one year extended licence period at the end of his prison sentence.

Baker, from Youens Drive, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Baker was originally arrested on April 7, 2016, and following a lengthy police investigation, he was charged with the offences on March 5 this year.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jenny Hanks of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, based at Cowley police station, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation, and is testimony to the bravery and the courage I have witnessed from both the victim and witnesses in this case.

“I would also like to thank our partner agencies, particularly Oxfordshire Social Services, in the work and support that they have offered throughout.

“As a result of this verdict, a predatory and dangerous sex offender is now off the streets.

“I hope that this sentence will finally bring at least some comfort to the victim.

“Thames Valley Police will continue to support victims of sexual abuse and I would encourage anybody who are victims to come forward and report this to us.”