Lewis Fisher, 28, from Hartlepool, was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

Fisher initially denied the offense to police, but forensic evidence from swabs taken from the girl led to his prosecution. Teesside Crown Court heard a victim impact statement read on behalf of the girl, in which she said, "I can't trust anyone, I don't feel safe. I feel traumatized and it will be forever."

She also felt as though her claims were initially disbelieved and that she was being punished for something that was not her fault.

Michele Turner, defending, told the court, "He does now have an understanding of the impact of what he has done. There are understandably features which quite rightly left the court concerned about. He accepts that his family have to serve any sentence with him."

Judge Chris Smith said Fisher's victim had a degree of vulnerability due to previous problems and was taken advantage of by him. Passing sentence, Judge Smith told Fisher, "When you were arrested you denied doing the offence but the scientific evidence supported her and you had the good sense to plead guilty. The impact upon her has been very substantial partly because she went through a period of being disbelieved."

Fisher, who is a carer and is from Kesteven Road, was jailed for five years. He will also be monitored for life by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be a registered sex offender for life after he pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.