A Macclesfield man who raped a child has been jailed.

Daniel Carter appeared appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, September 12, where he was sentenced to 13 years in prison, plus one year on licence.

The 28-year-old of no fixed abode in the Macclesfield area, was previously found guilty by unanimous verdict of 10 counts of child sexual offences, including rape of a child under 13, exposure, and sexual assault, following a four-day trial at Chester Crown Court that concluded on Thursday, July 10.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Steph Darbyshire, who led the investigation, said: "Carter's conviction is testament to the courage and bravery shown by the victim and their family throughout this investigation.

"Carter is a depraved and gutless individual, who subjected his victim to a prolonged period of sexual abuse. "Even when faced with all the evidence against him, he refused to admit his guilt.

"Instead, he chose to make the victim, and her family sit through a trial and listen to the horrific offences that he committed.

"Thankfully, as a result of the statements provided by the victim, and the evidence we gathered, the jury have seen through his lies and he is now being held accountable for his actions."

Cheshire Police launched the investigation in November 2022 following a disclosure made by the victim.

The jury heard how Carter began sexually abusing the victim in 2019, when she was just nine years old, and continued over the course of three years.

Carter was immediately arrested and subsequently charged with the offences.

On top of his custodial sentence, Carter was handed a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a 20-year restraining order against three witnesses and will be added to the sex offenders register and will remain on it indefinitely. 

DC Darbyshire added: "No-one should have to experience what this victim has been through and if anything can be achieved from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims to come forward.

"Cheshire Constabulary takes any allegation of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority."