A sex offender has been locked up after being found guilty of abusing a child in the 1970s.

Paul Hyland of Fulmar Road, Strood, indecently assaulted a child decades ago and when police went to his home to question him over the matters, they seized his laptops and found indecent images on them.

Police arrested him and uncovered hard drives containing almost 200 indecent images of children, 49 of which were in the most serious category.

Hyland, 62, was said to have carried out the abuse between 1973 and 1980, his victim came forward in August 2017.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of making indecent images of children but denied two allegations of abuse, namely, indecent assault against a child.

After being found guilty by a jury, he was jailed for five years and three months.

Hyland was also placed on the sex offenders’ register and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both indefinitely.

DC Wendy Tondeur, of the Medway vulnerability investigation team, said: "Sex offenders like Hyland wreak incalculable damage on their victims, many who will suffer in silence for years, or throughout their whole lives.

"Thankfully in this case the victim has shown extraordinary courage to come forward and I hope they can now take some comfort that justice has been served.

"I hope this result shows that it doesn’t matter how long ago this kind of abuse occurs, we will always investigate and ensure offenders are brought to justice.

"We have a dedicated team who deal with these types of cases with the utmost sensitivity and I hope this outcome encourages other victims of abuse to come forward."

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Thanks to this individual’s courage and strength in coming forward and speaking out, Hyland has been held accountable for his horrific actions.

“Abuse ruins childhoods and its effects can last long into adulthood. We hope the survivor in this case has received the support needed to help them move forward with their life.

“Children can speak to trained counsellors at Childline on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.

"Anyone who wishes to report abuse, no matter how long ago it happened, or concerns about a child’s wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.”

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