Paedophile who repeatedly raped little girl.

Married father-of-five Lance Buruka, 44, has been jailed for 18 years for repeatedly raping a young girl.

Buruka, formerly of Heathgate, Skelmersdale, but now of Partridge Close, Birchwood, Warrington, was found guilty of seven counts of rape at Liverpool Crown Court in August.

He was also found guilty of three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and pleaded guilty to two separate sexual assaults, plus sexual offences that were alternative charges to the rapes.

The court heard that Buruka had told a pre-sentence report author that he had been feeling lonely and wanted attention.

Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, told Buruka: "You sexually attacked her and did so for your own sexual gratification. You told the author of your pre-sentence report that you were feeling lonely and wanted attention."

"She doesn't fully appreciate the scale of your offending. Her mother said that you have taken her innocence. She is likely to be profoundly damaged by what you have done to her."

He added: "You had an understanding of the harm caused and you were only concerned about your own satisfaction."

The girl's mother told the court that when she learned Buruka had raped her daughter "my whole world fell apart".

In a victim statement, the mother said the child didn't yet seem to understand what had happened to her. However, she said Buruka had "taken away her innocence" and during the trial she had "cried her eyes out".

Buruka was designated an "offender of particular concern" because of the risk he poses.

He will spend at least nine years behind bars before he is eligible for parole. He will only be released before the end of the 18 years if he is no longer considered to be a risk.

Buruka must sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Cheshire Police refused to release Buruka's mugshot, despite official guidelines stating that it should be provided to the media.