Jail for man who raped young girl

A man who raped and sexually abused a young girl has been jailed.

Thomas Kirk, now aged 28, targeted the primary-school aged girl on multiple occasions.

The offences, which all took place in Nottinghamshire, were reported to Nottinghamshire Police five years later when the girl told another person about the abuse.

Specialist child abuse detectives immediately began an investigation and arrested Kirk at his home address.

He denied having any sexual contact with the victim, who provided officers with a compelling account of his actions over a period of many months.

Kirk was tried at Nottingham Crown Court in June and convicted by a jury of one count of raping a child under 13, and three counts of sexual assault.

Two of the sexual assaults occurred when he was still a child.

A previous trial into the matters concluded without a verdict.

Kirk, previously of Redhill, Nottingham, also pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Appearing at the same venue on Tuesday, Kirk was given an extended 14 year prison sentence and added to the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Sergeant James Robinson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“This case has taken a very significant toll on the victim, who has shown a great deal of bravery and patience throughout the legal process.

“She will have to live with the consequences of Kirk’s actions for the rest of her life, but I hope she and her family will take some comfort in this very significant prison sentence.

“Finally I would like to recognise the outstanding work of the Imara charity, whose Children and Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Adviser gave so much support to the victim and her family throughout this case.”