A father-of-three was today starting a 12-year sentence for a string of sex attacks on a schoolgirl.

Carl Brame, 39, a self-employed garage owner, was found guilty at Bradford Crown Court after a two-week trial.

He had denied 17 serious sexual offences, brought by the same complainant - who is now 24 - but was found guilty of them all by a jury. Judge Rodney Grant sentenced Brame, of Ogden Crescent, Denholme, to 12 years for each of seven charges of rape; 12 years for each of five charges of serious sexual assault; and five years for each of five counts of indecent assault.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Sadie Marshall, of Bradford police, paid tribute to the bravery of the complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

She sought help after two suicide attempts, prompted in part by her distress at the abuse she suffered when she was between 11 and 16 years old.

Although she had disclosed what had happened to school friends and her GP while a teenager, she did not make a statement to police until she reached her early 20s.

"She has been very strong, even though she was put through the trauma of giving evidence for six hours in court and was cross examined. She is now happily married with a child and is on top of things but it has been a difficult time for her," said Det Con Marshall.