Paedophile father and son groomed and sexually abused a vulnerable young girl.

A father and son have been sentenced for grooming and sexually abusing a vulnerable young girl.

Roy Lockett, 73, and his son, rugby coach Austin Lockett, 42, were both convicted of multiple offenses related to the abuse of the girl. The court heard that Lockett initially targeted the child and subjected her to a lengthy period of abuse before "handing her over as a prize" to his son, who continued the abuse.

The victim, who gave a powerful statement to the court, described the profound impact the abuse had had on her life, leaving her feeling anxious, depressed, and "worthless". She said the abuse had affected every aspect of her life, including her schooling, sleeping, and eating.

Lockett was convicted of three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act, two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and making an indecent photograph of a child. He had also previously pleaded guilty to causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child.

Austin Lockett was convicted of five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. He maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

Judge Paul Thomas KC said that he had no doubt that the defendants had been fully aware of what the other was doing to the vulnerable young girl. He described Lockett's actions as using the girl "like his sexual plaything" and handing her over "as a prize" to his son.

Lockett was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison and Austin was jailed for seven and a half years. Both defendants will be registered sex offenders for the rest of their lives and were made the subject of indefinite sex harm prevention orders.