A CHILD rapist who subjected his victim to a catalogue of sexual abuse after showing her pornography in his van has been jailed for 12 years.

Leigh Griffiths, 39, carried out a series of attacks on a young girl which were committed in the Caerphilly county area.

He pleaded guilty to 22 separate offences, including rape, attempted rape and the sexual assault of a child.

Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, said: “The victim suffered years of sexual abuse.

“He would show her pornography in his van.”

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The defendant would also perform a sex act on himself in front of her.

Mr Fryer added: “When he was arrested by the police, he told officers, ‘I knew this would catch up with me. It’s time to admit what I did.’”

Cardiff Crown Court heard how the girl was used by Griffiths for his “own sexual gratification”.

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In a statement read to the court, his victim said: “He stole my childhood. I don’t think he even feels sorry for what he has done.

“I will always be haunted by what he made me do.”

The child’s mother said in her statement: “What he has done is unforgivable.”

Owen Williams, mitigating, said his client had admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity and was a man of previous good character with no convictions recorded against him.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told the defendant: “You sexually abused your victim repeatedly.

“These offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”

Griffiths, of Ty Wern Avenue, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, was told he must serve two-thirds of his 12-year prison term in custody before he is eligible for release.

He must register as a sex offender for life and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the next 15 years.

The judge praised the victim and said: “She was extremely courageous in coming forward.”