A MAN who sexually abused a girl over a five-year period has been jailed.

Jeremy Owen, pictured, formerly of Bicester, committed a string of offences between 2001 and 2006.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat said at Oxford Crown Court yesterday the victim’s impact statement made “very heart-rending reading”.

The 39-year-old, now of Imperial Road, Exmouth, worked in the photocopier trade.

He was convicted by jurors at an earlier hearing of two counts of indecent assault, six counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and a serious sexual assault.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said his client maintained his innocence.

Judge Mowat jailed Owen for eight years in total and said: “(The victim) wasn’t alone as an object of your interest, there were other young girls who you were clearly interested in.

“One in particular was clearly a grooming relationship in which you made rather feeble efforts which she was able to repel.”