A man was found guilty of systematically raping and sexually abusing a young girl over a nine-year period.

A jury at Oxford Crown Court convicted Richard Corke, 38, of Sinodun Road, Didcot, of six counts of indecent assault, six of rape and one of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13.

During the trial, the court was told that the offences -- which happened between November 1994 and August 2003 -- only came to light after the victim broke down and told her mother in May last year.

Isobel Ascherson, prosecuting, said the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had also confided in a classmate but had sworn her to secrecy.

Video evidence was shown in court of the girl telling police that she had been abused by Corke.

In it, she told child protection officers the abuse started as touching but later became sexual intercourse.

Corke denied the charges and accused the girl and her mother of making up the claims.

Ms Ascherson said that Corke was an intelligent man who had carefully lied to police and the jury to try to cover his tracks.

He was remanded in custody for pre-sentence reports and will appear at the court for sentencing, on April 29.