Darren Higham 55

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A MAN who complained about living next door to a paedophile has been jailed - for being a paedophile.

Darren Higham previously claimed he was furious about living next door to the sex offender, but he is now behind bars for sexually abusing a child over a period of four years.

He subjected a child to horrific sexual abuse from the age of seven until she was around 11.

The abuse ranged from kissing and touching the child to forcing her to perform sex acts on him on more than one occasion.

Higham, of Chaffinch Close, Birchwood, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The 53-year-olds sick offending came to light when he was spotted with the victim, said prosecutor David Watson.

Mr Watson said how the person who saw them felt like something wasnt right so contacted social services.

The victim later told her mum that she had been sexually abused by Higham for ages.

The child told the police how Higham, a self-employed musician, used to kiss her and put his penis on her and recalled on one occasion how he had touched her.

She also told them how he asked her not to tell anyone about the abuse as it would mean he would be sent to prison.

The court heard how the victim said this made her feel scared and sometimes she would pretend to be tired and fall asleep so he would stop.

When these allegations were put towards Higham, he self-harmed and was hospitalised but was later interviewed by police and admitted to the abuse.

He told officers that something triggered inside of him but he told them he had no sexual interest in children.

Mr Watson read out a statement from the victims mother who claimed the sexual abuse committed by Higham has had a massive impact.

The statement said that the victim sometimes feels unloved and is undergoing counseling and trauma therapy as a result.

Defending, Gary Lawrenson said that prior to these offences, Higham was a man of good character.

He told the court how Higham has shown genuine remorse and is willing to engage in any work with the probation services.

Mr Lawrenson said: He does not seek to minimise his actions in any way, shape or form.

And in a letter to the court, Higham said: There are no words to say how much devastation and remorse I feel. I stand before you with acceptance of any punishment that you deem fit.

Higham was handed a four-year prison sentence, issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and is subject to a restraining order for 10 years.

Detective constable Chris Orme said: This young person showed great courage coming forward to report what had been happening.

This ultimately meant that Darren Higham could be put in front of the court, where he pleaded guilty to these awful crimes.

I hope the sentence brings some closure for the victim.

Cheshire Police is committed to protecting children and bringing to justice those who seek to harm them.