Wolverhampton man jailed over child sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s
His victim came forward to reveal the abuse she had suffered as a child
A man from Wolverhampton has been jailed for 12 years for child sexual abuse dating back almost 50 years.
John Harris, aged 64, was convicted of a series of nine offences after his victim was able to help police compile a case against him.
West Midlands Police say she came forward at a time when she felt ready to talk about the abuse she had suffered as a child.
Harris was jailed yesterday for 12 years. He convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court of eight counts of rape and one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, with the offences dating back to 1976.
In addition to the jail term he has also been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Detective Inspector Emma Jobson, from our dedicated non-recent rape and serious sexual offences team, said: "All our cases start with the person who suffered the abuse, and it was this woman's strength and fortitude which has meant Harris has now been convicted of crimes carried out many, many years ago.
"Despite the passing of time, we have the commitment and expertise to help identify and then trace crucial evidence which has seen this perpetrator being successfully prosecuted.
"In this case, as with many others which date back years, the laws and legislation which were in force at the time have to be adhered to.
"But that does not prevent us from being able to develop an investigation which sees offenders convicted years after the abuse."