A man who sexually abused a teenager multiple times has been jailed for 12 and a half years.
Carl Andrew Stevenson, 63, from Pickering, was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with the girl more than a decade ago.
Stevenson drove the victim to remote locations and forced her into sexual activity in his car.
He said if she told anyone she would be put in care by the authorities, holding her in constant fear.
The victim bravely reported the offences to the police in 2022. But when Stevenson was interviewed in June that year, he denied any wrongdoing, and showed no contrition or remorse.
He was charged, and a jury at York Crown Court found him guilty.
In a personal statement, the victim told Stevenson: “I was a happy person. I remember that.
“But then the incident happened and I locked myself away, became anxious, a shell of a person. I didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“I still struggle with trust issues, I am hyper-paranoid and anxious. Because of you.
“I struggle to do everyday things like taking a bus due to fear of not knowing who will be there. I struggle today with chronic illness because of my mental health.”
‘Extraordinary courage’
However, she said therapy “has thankfully changed my entire life. It made me realise none of this was my fault.
“I’ve started to find the person I was always meant to be, the person you took away from me – and underneath all of the pain and trauma, I’m starting to like that person.
“Where once there was darkness, I see light and hope.”
After the sentencing hearing, investigator Doug Stanway, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “The impact of Stevenson’s offending cannot be overstated. He took away a girl’s innocence, destroyed her confidence and set her life on a different path.
“However, she has shown extraordinary courage to confront her abuser, and attend court to ensure justice was done.
“I hope she can now move forward with her life, knowing that Stevenson has been held responsible for his crimes.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “You can report a sexual assault that happened at any time, even if it was months, years or decades ago. We take every report seriously, no matter how much time has passed.”