An elderly sex offender who repeatedly abused a young girl has been jailed.
Paul Lee, now aged 80, targeted the girl on multiple occasions around ten years ago – making her pose for photographs and forcing her to engage in sexual activity.
His crimes were exposed years later when the girl revealed what had happened to a member of staff at her school.
Lee was arrested two days later, and a search was carried out at his home near Newark.
Officers searching an outbuilding also found explicit paintings depicting abuse of the girl, and an arrangement of adult and child-sized shop mannequins dressed in sexualised underwear.
Extreme pornographic material was also recovered from electronic devices seized at the scene
Lee, formerly of Moor Lane, South Clifton, declined to comment in three sperate police interviews but later pleaded guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, making indecent photographs of a child, and possessing a prohibited image of a child.
He also admitted to possessing extreme pornography and to possessing a shotgun without a certificate after the weapon was found during the police search.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court today he was jailed for seven years and 10 months.
He will also serve an extended license period of four years upon his release.
Detective Constable Laura Manley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Lee is a predatory sex offender who committed some truly appalling offences against a primary school age child.
“As she grew older, the victim in this case realised what had happened to her was wrong and eventually found the strength to tell others.
“I know this been a very difficult and upsetting process for her and her family, so I really am full of admiration for the determination and dignity she has shown throughout the legal process.
“But for her bravery in coming forward, this man would have remained at-large and other children could have been put at risk as a result.
“The evidence she gave was extremely detailed and utterly damming for Lee, who really had no choice but to admit to what he had done.
“I am pleased he has now been handed a very significant prison sentence and hope this case serves as a warning to others about the consequences of abusing children in this way.”
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