A MAN who sexually abused a girl for nine years in Sale has been jailed.

Owen Mak, 60, from Dennison Avenue in Withington was sentenced to six years in prison at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court today, Friday April 1.

Mak, who was found guilty of 21 counts of indecent assault at an earlier hearing, will be on the sex offenders register for life.

He started abusing his victim, who is now 25, when she was just eight years old in 1992.

The abuse continued until she was 14 in 2001 when the girl contacted the police.

But no charges were brought after she decided that she did not have the strength to go ahead with a police prosecution.

She decided to prosecute Mak last January after seeing him in the Trafford Centre with a child as she was worried the abuse would happen to the little girl.

Detective Constable Sandra Callender, based at Altrincham Police Station, said: "This woman has been incredibly brave by coming forward and helping us put Mak through the court process.

"We take all reports of sexual abuse and rape seriously no matter how long ago they happened and if anyone is in the same position as this woman, I want them to have the confidence to come forward so we can have justice done for them too."

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact GMP on 0161 872 5050 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, can also be contacted on 0161 276 6515.