A MAN has been jailed for seven years for historic sexual offences against a child.

Paul Lancaster, 38, of Parkfields, Sible Hedingham, committed the crimes in Colchester between 2006 and 2009.

The victim was a girl who was between the ages of ten and 13 at the time of the offences.

Lancaster was charged with three counts of sexual touching of a child under 13, one count of sexual assault by penetration and four counts of sexual assault by touching a female between the ages of 13 and 15.

He denied the charges but was found guilty after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Dc Jenna Daltrey, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team based in Colchester, said: “I have worked on this case for the last 15 months and throughout this time the victim has acted with dignity, courage and honesty.

“I am extremely proud of the way the victim conducted herself throughout the trial.

“Paul Lancaster has shown no remorse or empathy towards the victim and he has now been found guilty of all 8 counts charged.

“He will be on the sex offenders register for life and a sexual harm prevention order has been granted by the judge. Justice has been done.”