Carl Chapman, aged 61, was sentenced last week after officers launched an investigation into reports he had sexually abused a girl from when she was nine to 16 years old.
Chapman would bribe her and even threatened to kill her family.
The girl, now a woman, bravely came forward to report the non-recent offences and following an investigation by officers, he was arrested and hauled before the courts for his crimes.
Chapman, of Birmingham, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on August 8 following a trial in April this year where he was found guilty of 19 counts including indecent assault on a girl under 16, incite a girl under 16 to commit an act of gross indecency, incite a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency and incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity.
He was jailed for 17 years and will also be on the sex-offenders register for the rest of his life.
Detective Sergeant Chloe Collins, who investigated the case, said: “I want to commend the courage and bravery of the victim in coming forward and reporting Chapman’s deplorable crimes to us.
“She showed so much bravery not only in reporting but showed her strength throughout the investigation, trial, and the sentencing. We would not have been able to put Chapman behind bars without her courage and I thank her for that.
“I hope the jail term handed out gives her some closure and serves as a reminder to other victims of crime to come forward and make a report – it’s never too late.”
We have dedicated teams across the force whose job it is to investigate rape and serious sexual assaults.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “If you are a victim, whether the incident happened hours ago or twenty years or more, come forward and report it to us – no matter how much time has passed, please report it.
“Our officers will always thoroughly investigate and offer support to anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse.”
For more information visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/