A man who repeatedly sexually and physically abused a child has been jailed for nine years and 10 months.
Lee Saxton, 41, of South Street, Eastwood, admitted 12 offences ahead of a trial at Nottingham Crown Court, including eight counts of sexual activity with a child.
He also pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing the sexual exploitation of a child, intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard Saxton first contacted the victim online in April 2025. He exploited and manipulated her over a prolonged period, repeatedly taking her to his home, where he subjected her to sexual and physical abuse.
He recorded the abuse and used the recordings to intimidate her into remaining silent and continuing to meet him.
The victim disclosed the abuse in 2025. Saxton was arrested in December that year but continued to seek contact with her despite bail conditions intended to protect her. He encouraged her to withdraw her allegations and disengage from the investigation.
He later resumed contact and continued the abuse. After she reported what had happened, Saxton went into hiding before being located and arrested.
Saxton initially denied the offences but changed his pleas ahead of his trial.
He was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday 5 November and placed on the sex offender register for life. He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his activities after his release.
Detective Constable Shannon Vincent, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection Unit, said the emotional impact on the victim had been severe.
Encouraging others to report sexual abuse, she said: “If you tell us about what happened we will listen to you, we will investigate and we will do everything we can to get justice for you.”
