Terry Smith 40

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A man who raped a child under the age of 13 has been jailed for 10 years.

Terry Smith of Scoggins Way, Heckington, was found guilty of the offence when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, 24 October.

The 40-year-old committed the crime in the Lincoln area between 2019 and 2021.

Smith had denied the charge but was found guilty and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The sentence brings a lengthy investigation to a close and Mhairi Boulton, Proecting Vulnerable Persons West Hub Manager, has paid tribute to the victim and their family.

“Smith committed a vile crime that has no place in our community or our society at large. No child deserves to go through such an ordeal,” she said.

“The wait for justice has been a long one and we’d like to thank the victim and family at the heart of this investigation for their patience, understanding and bravery.

“While the road to recovery may be a long one, we hope that this sentence, at least in some small way, helps bring a sense of closure.”