Ryedale detectives praised the victim’s courage in coming forward as she finally saw justice for the man who had repeatedly sexually abused her.
Dean Martin Blackwell, now 44, of High Street, Stokesley, denied two charges of raping a child and four of sexually assaulting her but was convicted of all six charges at a trial in July.
Detective Sergeant Beverley Garbutt, from Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said: “The level of trauma and pain the victim has endured throughout her young life is difficult to comprehend.
“She has shown immense bravery in seeking and securing justice. I hope the outcome at court provides additional strength to rebuild her life.”
DS Garbutt said: “As for Blackwell, the sickening child abuse he committed all those years ago has finally caught up with him with this significant prison sentence.
“He has also been made subject to robust safeguarding measures to manage his behaviour for the rest of his days.”
The offences were committed many years ago when the victim, now an adult, was a young child.
Blackwell will serve an extra year’s extended period on prison licence after he finishes his 21-year sentence.
He was also made subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order curtailing his behaviour after his release from prison and enabling police to monitor him. He will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.
