A MAN who repeatedly sexually abused a child has been locked up for four years.

Roger David Cook, 50, had initially denied committing a number of historic offences in the Appleby area. Cook's trial got underway last month at Carlisle Crown Court, where a jury heard how he "bought" the child's secrecy with "threats of violence" having molested her.

But on the second day of the hearing - just before his victim was due to give live evidence to the court - he entered guilty pleas to three indecent assaults. These occurred during a period spanning two years.

Cook was sentenced today, when the profound impact of his illegal acts on the victim - who is now an adult - was laid bare.

Extracts were given from impact statements, which stated: "The whole thing has left me feeling like a wreck. I felt, for some reason, it was all my fault."

The victim added: "I will carry around with me what he has done to me forever."

The jail sentence was passed by Judge Tony Lancaster, who noted that the victim had "had to carry the burden" of what Cook did for many years.

Cook, previously of Trotternish Avenue, Staffin, Isle of Skye, but now said to be of no fixed address, must sign the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.

He was also made subject to the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order for five years.