Pervert jailed for six years for abusing girl (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Pervert jailed for six years for abusing girl

10:05pm Thursday 20th March 2008

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A PERVERT who sexually abused a girl over a 12 month period has been jailed for six years.

Steven Edwards, 48, threatened to kill the terrified victim if she did not undress and armed himself with a knife, Burnley Crown Court heard.

His sordid campaign began with him stroking the top of the girl's legs and groping her before he later committed a sex act on her.

Edwards, of Smith Street, Nelson, had earlier admitted assault by penetration, three counts of sexual assault and two of sexual activity with a child, between May 2006 and August last year.

Julian Taylor, prosecuting, told the court in November 2006, the defendant, who had begun fondling the victim, became more demanding and aggressive.

He told the girl to take her trousers off and said he would kill her. The girl refused and Edwards then got a knife and threatened to kill himself. Edwards managed to get the girl's clothes off..

Mr Taylor said a year later Edwards panicked, started crying and begged the girl not to tell anyone. In May 2007 the girl managed to push the defendant off her when he tried to strike again.

The prosecutor told the court the victim later broke down and told her mother what had been going on. Edwards was arrested last August and owned up to police.

When he was questioned, he made full admissions to officers and he had pleaded guilty to the allegations at the first opportunity.

The hearing was told Edwards had a criminal record, but no previous convictions for sex offences.

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