Description
A serial sex offender who targeted a young girl left the victim struggling with "trauma" and the "immense" impact of her ordeal.
The girl had since "faced many obstacles" because of what she had suffered and this had taken its "toll over the years" on her, Hull Crown Court heard.
John Hill, 58, of Malm Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, denied five offences of indecent assault but he was convicted by a jury after a trial. He also denied six offences of indecency with a child but he was convicted of four of them.
Dale Brook, mitigating, told the trial that Hill intimately touched the girl. "He told her she was a good girl," said Mr Brook.
"She thinks that he was grooming her and building up to wider sexual activity. It did progress." More serious sexual behaviour took place. The victim eventually contacted the police.
Hill was arrested but he denied any sexual abuse of the girl. "He said that he didn't know her and had no recollection of her," said Mr Brook.
The victim told the court: "I now struggle with trauma. It impacts me more than I ever thought it would. I know I have faced many obstacles because of it. It takes its toll over the years.
"He was the man who groomed and abused me. He has no remorse. He is a paedophile and a child molester and nothing he does will change that.
"This whole ordeal has been immense. I know I will be dealing with this for the rest of my life. He is the face of my abuser. I am no longer afraid."
Charlotte Baines, mitigating, said: "There is really very little that can be said, given that the defendant was convicted after a trial by the jury.
Judge Richard Woolfall told Hill: "These are very serious offences. The guidelines make it plain that a significant sentence will be required."
Hill was jailed for 15 years and he will be on extended licence of one year after his release from prison. He was branded an offender of particular concern.
Hill had been on bail during the trial but he was remanded in custody on December 6 after the jury returned its verdicts.