A MAN who abused a young girl in the 1980s has been jailed for 11 years.

Terrence Weston tried to evade capture for the string of sexual offences by changing his name and moving house repeatedly before officers caught up with him in 2014.

The 64-year-old indecently assaulted the child in the Bracknell area between 1982 and 1988.

Weston, of Castle Street, Reading, denied the charges but was later convicted following a five day trial last year.

He was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and one count of child cruelty on 4 December 2015.

Facing a judge on Friday, Weston was sentenced at Reading Crown Court to 11 years' imprisonment.

Speaking following the hearing, investigating officer Detective Constable Eddie Hurley from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) based at Windsor police station, said: "I am pleased with the sentence and that Terrence Weston has now been brought to justice.

"I would like to thank the victim for her courage, patience and determination to support this case through to today's conclusion and hope she feels a sense of justice.

"This case demonstrates the commitment of Thames Valley Police to bring offenders against children to justice."

Detective Inspector Andy Howard from the CAIU added: "Weston made considerable efforts to avoid arrest from the victim’s report in 2010 until he was charged in July 2015.

"Even after his arrest in July 2014 he altered his personal details and addresses on numerous occasions to try and avoid prosecution.

"Through the tenacity of the investigating officer and some excellent inter-agency working Thames Valley Police continued to seek Weston so that he could be put before the court and his sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment is the culmination of those efforts."