Man jailed over sexual abuse

A man who sexually abused a 12-year-old girl for almost a year has been jailed for 9-1/2 years.

The 48-year-old man who started abusing the girl after being made redundant from his job appeared for sentence in Palmerston North District Court yesterday.

He had earlier admitted raping and sexually assaulting the girl numerous times between April last year and February 18 this year, the Manawatu Standard reported.

Judge Gerard Lynch jailed the man, ordering a minimum non-parole period of four years and nine months.

In a victim impact statement, the girl described the profound effect the abuse had on her, including prompting a number of suicide attempts.

The assaults continued to haunt her and she was concerned her life would never be the same again, Judge Lynch read.

- NZPA