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A man has been locked up for sexual abuse dating back to the 90s after the victim bravely came forward.
Carl Chapman, aged 61, was sentenced last week after officers launched an investigation into reports he had sexually abused a girl for nearly 10 years.
The offences took place from 1996 when the victim, who was known to him, was just 9-years-old until 2004 when she was 16.
Chapman would bribe her and even threatened to kill her family.
The girl, now a woman, bravely came forward to report the non-recent offences and following an investigation by officers he was arrested and hauled before the courts for his crimes.
Chapman, of Birmingham, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 8 August following a trial in April this year where he was found guilty of 19 counts including indecent assault on a girl under 16, incite a girl under 16 to commit an act of gross indecency, incite a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency and incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity.
He was jailed for 17 years and will also be on the sex-offenders register for the rest of his life.
Detective Sergeant Chloe Collins, who investigated the case, said:
“I want to commend the courage and bravery of the victim in coming forward and reporting Chapman’s deplorable crimes to us.
“She showed so much bravery not only in reporting but showed her strength throughout the investigation, trial, and the sentencing.
“We would not have been able to put Chapman behind bars without her courage and I thank her for that.
“I hope the jail term handed out gives her some closure and serves as a reminder to other victims of crime to come forward and make a report – it’s never too late.”