A man from Sandfields has been jailed for 16 years for raping a 12-year-old girl and sexually abusing her over several years.
James Miller, 49, carried out the offences against the same victim between 1993 and 2001, South Wales Police said.
He raped the girl when she was 12, and indecently and sexually assaulted her on at least ten occasions, according to the force.
His victim reported the abuse to police in 2023.
On 10 September, Miller was found guilty of rape of a girl under 16, five counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, and two counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14.
Special custodial sentence of 16 years
Miller was sentenced on Friday to a special custodial sentence of 16 years in prison, followed by an extra year on licence.
He must serve two-thirds of the prison term before he can go before the Parole Board, the force said.
He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order protecting the victim and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and he must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Police praise victim’s “bravery to come forward”
Detective Constable Jacquetta Jones said: “James Miller’s crimes were horrendous and made his defenceless child victim’s life a living hell.
“Not only did his sexual abuse rob her of her childhood, it has also taken years of her adult life, and no doubt will be a trauma that the victim will carry with her for the rest of her life.
“We are immensely proud of the victim for showing the bravery to come forward, and now that James Miller is going to prison, we hope that in the future the burden caused to her by his actions can begin to alleviate.”
The force said it hoped cases like this showed that victims would be listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and supported throughout the court process.
Anyone affected by sexual abuse who is not yet ready to go to the police can find information and support services on the South Wales Police website.
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