Locations
Churchill Way Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16
Description
A paedophile has been jailed for 11 years after he was convicted of sexually abusing a girl.
Richard Rowles, 42, of Churchill Way, Sunbury, began abusing his victim when she was just six years old and did so on repeated occasions.
The victim only came forward in October 2017, prompting a police investigation and Rowles' eventual conviction for multiple offences including sexual assaulting a girl under 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Detective Constable Sara McDowell, who investigated the case, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the victim for her bravery in not only coming forward in the first place, but then for re-living her ordeal when she gave evidence in court.
"I hope that the fact that Rowles has received a lengthy jail sentence can help her to move on with her life.
"Surrey Police takes all reports involving sexual offences extremely seriously and we would encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a similar offence to come forward."