The 59-year-old was found guilty of one count of rape of a child and seven counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 following a five day trial at Chester Crown Court, which concluded on Monday, April 25.

King, of Rochdale Road, Bury, returned to court the following day and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, plus one year on extended licence.

King, who previously lived in the Wilmslow area, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

During the trial the court heard that King systematically abused the victim for three years in the 1990s.