A pedophile who sexually abused a young girl in her sleep more than 20 years ago has been jailed for eight years.

Ricky Morgan, of New Cheltenham Road in Kingswood, Bristol, admitted abusing the girl multiple times over several years during the early 2000s. The abuse was reported to police two decades later.

The 61-year-old admitted three counts of indecent assault of a girl, and three counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching, when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court in March.

During sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, Morgan was also given an indefinite restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In a statement read out in court before the sentencing, the victim, now aged in her 30s, said: “My childhood was completely swept out from under me.

“The abuse I suffered as a child has had a lasting impact on my life.

“I did not have a normal childhood like others, I didn’t get to enjoy my life; be innocent and carefree. Instead, I felt I had to grow up before my time.”

‘Lasting impact’

Avon and Somerset Police Det Con Carl Spicer commended the strength and bravery of the victim.

“Her resilience and patience throughout the police investigation and court proceedings have been exemplary,” he said.

“Morgan was calculated in his offending and systematically sexually abused a young child over a significant period of time without a single care for her wellbeing.

“His offending has had a serious and lasting impact on the victim, who we will continue to support.”

—BBC