A WINSFORD man who subjected a girl to a campaign of sexual abuse, including rape, has been sentenced to serve 15 years in prison.

Ashley Wilson, 32, had already pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 13, and to seven more charges related to the distribution of indecent images of children.

Wilson was a coach at Northwich-based Cheshire Gymnastics, where he once held the position of Welfare Officer, with a responsibility for its centres at Holmes Chapel and South Cheshire.

The most serious of the charges was one of rape against the girl, who was abused for a period of 18 months from the age of ten.

The 32-year-old also admitted to three counts of making indecent images, one count of distributing indecent images and one count of possession of indecent images.

Wilson will have to serve an additional year on license and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and a sexual harm prevention order both indefinitely.

Judge Patrick Thompson told Wilson he had committed the most gross abuse of trust you could imagine before he handed him the term.

He said: "You gained her trust and compliance. You abused that trust for your own twisted sexual desires. She became your sexual play thing for the sustained period of time.

"You had a cunning and manipulative way by giving her treats and telling her nobody would know."

The Judge also told Wilson how he had failed to show any real level of culpability, instead thinking of himself as a hero for pleading guilty and not subjecting his victim to any further distress.

"You are the opposite of a hero," he told him.

“You have failed to accept the reality that you are a committed paedophile with an unhealthy interest in children. This was regular and sustained sexual abuse."

Judge Thompson also told Wilson he had distributed the most disturbing and disgusting images of children, including nine category A videos, and had 'boasted' about the abuse when in communication with other like-minded individuals.

"I am satisfied that you have caused significant damage to your victim. She has been searching the internet for self-harm."

Maria Ellis, prosecuting, had told the court how a number of devices had been found at Wilson's home during a search by police on November 24 last year, including a mobile phone containing indecent images.

Ms Ellis outlined how Wilson had subjected his victim to abuse over a period of around 18 months from when his victim was aged around ten.

As well as finding nine category A videos, there was also evidence that Wilson had been in communication with like-minded individuals where he had boasted of abuse.

She said: "Although unsure of how many times the abuse took place, it is clear that it happened on multiple occasions."

Nicholas Williams, defending, said his client had committed a significant number of offences that were 'repulsive' in nature.

He said: "He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. There is very little mitigation I can add in cases that are so serious in nature as this."

The judge also said the victim and her mum have shown incredible courage and sent 'tremendous' sympathy to the family.

Detective Constable Laura Kimpton, of Cheshire Police’s Public Protection Directorate, said: “The abuse Wilson subjected the 12-year-old girl to, was nothing short of horrific.

“It is possible that without the initial police action to arrest him for the indecent images he was in possession of, she may not have had the courage and bravery to disclose the sexual abuse.

“Wilson took advantage of, and preyed on, a young innocent child for his own sexual gratification and betrayed her trust and the trust of her family.

“I am pleased that he has admitted to all of his crimes and spared her the trauma of having to relive what happened during a trial.

“Justice has rightly been served but I know this will stay with her and her family for the rest of their lives and they will continue to receive the appropriate support to help come to terms with what happened.”

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “This was a distressing case and my thoughts are with the victim and her family.

“I also want to thank those who worked hard to secure justice and for the support they have given to her and her family.

“Sexual abuse is an horrific crime. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward and report it, knowing you will be listened to and supported.”

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, or know of someone who has, please contact Cheshire Police on 101, https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ or Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.