Child rapist's horrific and prolonged campaign of sex abuse on young girl.

A man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for subjecting a vulnerable young girl to a campaign of rape and sexual assaults spanning years.

The abuse began when the victim was just four or five years old and continued until she was a teenager. Judge Paul Thomas QC, presiding over the case at Swansea Crown Court, labeled Andre Simpson, the 54-year-old defendant, a "very twisted individual" who showed no remorse for his actions.

Simpson, of Bronwydd, Birchgrove, Swansea, was found guilty of 18 counts of rape, indecent assault, sexual assault, indecency with a child, and possessing indecent images of a child.

In an impact statement read to the court, the victim described the devastating impact of the abuse, stating that she effectively had no childhood due to Simpson's actions. She spoke of struggling to trust people, being wary of older men, and enduring persistent flashbacks and nightmares.

The victim, who has lifelong legal anonymity as a victim of sexual offenses, described the abuse as "the skeleton in the closet" she had felt unable to report for so many years. She expressed hope that by coming forward, she had protected other children from suffering the same fate at Simpson's hands.

During the trial, Simpson denied the offenses but was convicted by the jury. Judge Thomas criticized Simpson's defense strategy, calling it "particularly distasteful" for repeatedly accusing the young victim of being a liar.

The judge also noted that Simpson questioned the police investigation and attempted to blame his sons for the indecent images found on his laptop. This suggested a willingness to blame anyone to protect himself, according to the judge.

In addition to the 21-year prison sentence, Simpson will serve an extended one-year license period. He will be a registered sex offender for life and subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.