A PERVERT has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years for repeatedly raping a girl over a period of eight years.

Mark Ian Hunt, aged 34, of Regina Crescent, Leigh, was found guilty of 20 counts of raping the girl, who was 12 when he started the abuse in 1998.

Hunt was also found guilty of one count of indecent assault and was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

A judge banned him from working or living with anybody under the age of 16 when he is released and he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Hunt was arrested in March last year following an allegation by the woman, but denied the abuse.

He was convicted on the strength of forensic evidence.

Det Con Joanne Kirkman said: "This woman has been incredibly brave coming forward and telling police about what happened to her at such a young and vulnerable age.

"I hope she is an inspiration to other people who have been through similar experiences to report these offences, even if they happened a long time ago.

"We can and will still fully investigate any reports of this kind. It is not too late to bring offenders to justice and ensure that they do not get away with crimes of this nature no matter how long ago they happened."