Sexual abuse against a girl which began when she was just six-years-old.

Paedophile Jailed for Years of Abuse Against Girl, 6

A 45-year-old man, David Devlin, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for years of sexual abuse against a girl, starting when she was just six years old.

The abuse, which included sexual assault and forcing the victim to perform a sex act, left the girl so traumatized that she attempted suicide twice.

Devlin, from Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, took advantage of his victim and threatened her with prison if she reported his actions. Prosecutors described hundreds of text messages between Devlin and the victim as "grooming" behavior, designed to normalize his sexual abuse.

The victim eventually disclosed the abuse to her family and school in 2022, leading to Devlin's arrest. A search of his home uncovered a laptop containing an indecent image of a child and his phone contained an image of bestiality.

Devlin initially denied the allegations but was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of assault by penetration of a child, two counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, possession of an indecent image and possession of an extreme image.

In a victim impact statement, the girl described the devastating impact of the abuse, saying she had "closed herself off from friends, family and the outside world" and struggled with depression, nightmares, and self-harm.

Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant described Devlin as a "high risk of serious harm to female children" and said he used "grooming and manipulation" to abuse his victim. Devlin was classified as a dangerous offender and will serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

In addition to his prison sentence, Devlin was made subject to sex offender notification requirements and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order at a later hearing.