A RAPIST found guilty of a slew of sex crimes against a child has been jailed for 16 years.

'Dangerous and predatory' paedophile Damien Baker, of Youens Drive in Thame, sexually assaulted and raped a girl over a 10-year period.

The 39-year-old was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday after a lengthy police investigation.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jenny Hanks, based at Cowley station, said: "This has been a long and complex investigation, and is testimony to the bravery and the courage I have witnessed from both the victim and witnesses in this case.

"As a result of this verdict, a predatory and dangerous sex offender is now off the streets.

"I hope that this sentence will finally bring at least some comfort to the victim."

Baker was found guilty at the same court in November, following a seven-day trial, of 11 counts of indecent assault on a girl and two counts of rape of a girl.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was abused over a decade-long period before Baker was arrested in April 2016.

He was not charged with the offences until March 2018. 

At his sentencing last week, Baker was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following his prison sentence, he will serve an additional one-year extended licence period. 

DS Hanks, of Thames Valley Police's child abuse investigation unit, thanked partner agencies including Oxfordshire Social Services for supporting the investigation.

The officer added: "Thames Valley Police will continue to support victims of sexual abuse and I would encourage anybody who are victims to come forward and report this to us."