A man who lived in Tidworth has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of the rape of a child under 13.

Paul Keith Buckland, 35, of Prestonbury Close in Plymouth, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, September 8 after being found guilty of nine sexual offences including rape of child.

The offences were committed more than 10 years ago while Buckland was living in Tidworth, but were only reported to Wiltshire Police in 2020.

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Buckland was arrested and charged in 2020. He pleaded not guilty to the offences but was convicted in a trial which ended on June 30.

He was also found guilty of two counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of attempted rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.

The 35-year-old was further found guilty of one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

Buckland refused to attend court to hear his sentence, which was considered an aggravating factor.

In addition to facing 20 years behind bars, he will be required to sign on to the sex offenders’ register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

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Investigating officer DC Louise Thomas, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Buckland is an abhorrent individual who committed unspeakable acts to, and in the presence of, a child.

“Actions such as his have long-lasting and traumatic effects on their victims, which can manifest in myriad ways.

“I’d like to commend the victim in speaking to us about her experiences – I understand how difficult it must have been for her and I hope that this sentence can bring some sort of relief, knowing Buckland is behind bars.

“This case is a reminder that Wiltshire Police will always investigate reports of sexual assault and child abuse, no matter when the incident took place.

“This incident took place more than a decade ago but didn’t come to light until 2020 when it was bravely reported to us by the victim and her family.

“Please be reassured that the CAIT team here in Wiltshire Police is totally committed to targeting dangerous offenders like Buckland and protecting innocent victims.”