A man has been sentenced to 16 years in jail over a string of historic sexual offences including the rape of a child.

David Eamens, 46 at the time of conviction, of Pinfold Place, Nelson, was found guilty of the offences by a jury following a trial in May.

At Preston Crown Court on Thursday, Eamens was jailed for a total of 16 years and must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before he is considered for release.

He was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child; four counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent; attempted assault by penetration and rape.

He will also be subject to a lengthy sexual offences licence and conditions once released.

The court heard Eamen’s offending, which took place between 2012 and 2014, began when the child was a teenager and continued until the victim became a young adult.

Sentencing Eamens, Judge Daniel Prowse said the victim had been deeply affected by the offences and still endures nightmares.

The judge told Eamens: “The impact of your offences on the victim had been profound.”

He said the victim ‘could not form friendships well and became isolated’.

Judge Prowse said: “He struggles to sleep and has nightmares.

“He has been unable to hold relationships…and also attempted suicide.”

The court heard Eamens had told the victim that if he complained ‘nobody would believe him’.

A victim impact statement read to the court explains how the victim “could still feel the defendant’s breath on his neck” and had been unable to speak out as he felt he wouldn’t be listened to.

The court was also told how Eamens had attempted to ‘enforce a level of manipulation’ on the victim for a number of years.

During the period of abuse, the victim had lost trust with other children at school fearing they may know what was going on, and the offences had led to ‘bouts of crying’.

Judge Prowse said the abuse had ‘blighted the victim’s childhood’, and the sentence reflected the impact the years of abuse have had on the victim.

In mitigation, the court was told Eamens had had a difficult start in life, with an alcoholic father who also used drugs, and prior to this offending had been a man of good character.

However, he continues to deny the offences he has been found guilty of.