A MAN has been jailed for 12 years for a string of sex attacks on a young girl. Martyn Ricketts, 29, raped and indecently assaulted the youngster, starting when she was just six years old.

And he continued to carry out the sex attacks on the child until she told someone earlier this year what had been happening.

David Chidgey, prosecuting, told a judge at Swindon Crown Court that Ricketts started by touching the youngster.

He then moved on to carrying out sex acts with her and then raping her.

When he was arrested he immediately admitted to police what had been going on.

At an earlier hearing Ricketts, of Islandsmead, Eldene, pleaded guilty to rape, attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child.

Paul Highams, defending, said his client realised what he had done was wrong and that he was facing a lengthy prison term.

He said Ricketts had a bad start to life and both of his parents were alcoholics. His wife died in February 2000.

"Abusers are not the nasty slime that live behind the u-bend, but they are human beings like your honour and myself," he said.

He added that since his arrest Ricketts had admitted he was himself an alcoholic.

Jailing him, Judge John McNaught said "I take into account that you substantially admitted the allegations when you were first seen by the police and you pleaded guilty.

"I know you had a very sad and abusive childhood, as I have read what it says about it in your pre-sentence report.

"I have no doubt that you are full of remorse for what has happened."

The judge also ordered that Ricketts must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

And he was banned from ever working with children.

bhudson@newswilts.co.uk