Glen Aris jailed for child grooming and rape
A man who raped an eight-year-old girl has been jailed for 10 years.
Glen Aris, 56, rewarded the victim with pizza and ice cream, Exeter Crown Court heard.
Aris, of Willow Avenue, Torquay in Devon, admitted rape, sexual assault, inciting a child to sexual activity and assault by penetration.
The judge said the impact on the girl must have been "devastating" and he praised her "immense courage in coming forward".
Aris groomed the girl for sex by buying her treats and went on to force her to take part in a range of acts with him at his home, the court heard.
Judge Simon Carr said it was "systematic abuse" and the impact would "probably be with her for the rest of her life".
Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said the offences happened about 10 years ago.
He said the sexual abuse started with touching but became more serious.
Mr Bradnock said: "The victim recalls Aris trying to make her feel special and rewarding her with pizza or ice cream. It is a pattern of behaviour which can be identified as grooming.
"When interviewed he admitted the activity but said he had never forced himself upon the girl."
Kevin Hopper, mitigating, said Aris deserved credit for having admitted what he had done and sparing the victim the ordeal of coming to court.
Aris was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.