Bradford Crown Court heard that Muhammad Arshad, 37, was convicted of offences of sexual assault following a trial in May.

Most of the offences involved him groping and molesting the child

In a victim impact statement, the child described how the incidents left them “paralysed with anxiety” – feeling worthless and degraded as a result of the abuse.

Takeaway worker Arshad, of Simpson Street, Keighley, had no previous convictions.

Judge Kirstie Watson said it was clear that what he did to the complainant had had a significant effect.

“You have continued to deny these offences and therefore I have no faith that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation,” she said.

The judge was asked to consider suspending any prison sentence but she concluded that only appropriate punishment could be achieved by immediate custody.

Arshad will have to register as a sex offender with the police for the next ten years and he must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period of time.