A MAN who raped and sexually abused a girl has been jailed for 13 years.

Simon Jacobs, 58, of Chase Lane, Dovercourt, raped and indecently assaulted his victim, a girl under the age of 15 when the first offence took place.

At the Old Bailey yesterday, Judge Simon Mayo QC ordered Jacobs to serve a total sentence of 13 years for the nine attacks with at least two thirds to be served in custody.

Jacobs had denied but was convicted of six counts of indecent assault and three of rape between 1999 and 2003 when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court in April.

The court heard his crimes only came to light when the victim reported the abuse to the police last year.

The jury was told during his trial Jacobs would buy the girl gifts in order to “buy her silence”.

In a victim impact statement which was read out at the Old Bailey yesterday, Jacob’s victim said: “For nearly 20 years I have been carrying guilt and shame and feel I have been punished for what happened to me.

“I have lived my life in fear, scared in case what happened to me came out.

“He took my away childhood, my innocence and replaced it with fear and hate.”

The court heard the woman had suffered “swirls of depression” as a result of the assaults.

She added: “Many times I have not wanted to be here to carry on due to the pain I have to carry with me.

“It has depressed me so much I have not been able to live my life.

“I have given myself the label of being damaged.

“I can’t put into words the torment and anguish I have suffered because of his sickening crimes.”

The woman also said her own experiences had impacted on her relationship with her daughter.

She said: “Sometimes I could not hold her because of the harrowing memories which are in my head.”

In passing sentence, Mr Mayo acknowledged Jacobs had not committed any sexual assaults since the attacks 19 years ago.

As he was taken down to the cells, Jacobs said he wanted to express his “extreme sorrow” to his victim.