A Horsham man has been jailed over a series of sexual assaults on a young girl.

Timothy Michael Andrew Wallace, 46, unemployed, of South Holmes Road, Horsham, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of five charges of sexual assault by touching against a girl now 13, on Friday, December 21.

The offences happened between May 2010 and January 2012.

Wallace was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Dani Flude of the West Sussex Child Protection Team said: "Wallace preyed on the girl over a period of time and caused her severe emotional trauma, added to by the fact that she had to give evidence against him in court due to his not guilty plea.

"However we are able to give her every possible support and to arrange for the court to take into account her natural concern about giving evidence. She was an excellent witness and helped ensure justice was served."