AN ELLESMERE Port man found guilty of systematically and indecently abusing a girl over a period of eight years has been jailed.

Trevor Shone, 57, of Princes Road, was convicted on 15 counts of indecent abuse after a week-long trial in which the victim had to give evidence in court.

Shone was handed a 15-year sentence – 13 years custody and two years on licence – when he appeared via videolink at Chester Crown Court.

He was also made the subject of a life-long sexual harm prevention order and restraining order forbidding him from communicating with or making contact with the victim.

Owen Edwards, prosecuting,  said Shone had six convictions for 11 previous offences, the most recent of which was in 1991 and included theft, burglary and motoring matters.

He read out a personal statement from the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, which read: "The abuse I suffered has had a huge impact on my life.

"I feel I was used for his pleasure in the worst possible way.

"He said if I told my family he would put me in a body bag.

“Through fear I was continually abused – I thought I was wrong to tell anyone.

"After the police were told, I was initially relieved, but I found myself staring into space thinking about what had happened to me, I always felt embarrassed about it.

"I have had nightmares and wake up crying, even now.

"I feel sick, I feel dirty and still spend hours in the bath trying to get clean. I have a dirty secret of the worst kind and prefer to spend my life locked away behind closed doors.

"I consistently feel like a disappointment, and I'm tired of feeling that. I'm fearful about any future relationship.

"It affects me in every way and I still feel a prisoner."

Defending, Nicholas Williams said: "Mitigation is going to be limited as he continues to maintain his innocence.

"His health is not good. He is far frailer than his age would suggest. He is not a well man.

"In 2012 or 2013 he had a heart attack and still has heart disease and is on medication for that and depression.

"His wife his very poorly and has cancer of the mouth and bowel. He is the sole carer for her and they have been married 38 years.

"He has no previous convictions for similar matters and no offences for more than 20 years."

Judge Patrick Thompson, sentencing Shone, said: "You treated her as your sexual plaything.

"When she made a disclosure at 16 she was not taken seriously. Those were different times and thankfully the police have taken this with the seriousness it deserves.

"The fear of being abused again has never gone away and she had to speak about it and be cross-examined in court. The jury found you were the liar.

"You showed no remorse – this was systematic abuse, you exploited her over a substantial period of time."

Shone showed no emotion as he was handed the 15-year sentence.

Judge Thompson added: "I wish to pay tribute to the complainant and hope she will gain full closure and look forward to a brighter future."