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A "heinous" paedophile who raped a young girl has been jailed for 17 years.

Stephen Frame, 34, appeared a "good" man but underneath he was "much darker, harmful and abusive", a Newcastle Crown Court judge said.

His victim said Frame had "ripped" her childhood from her and she was "ruined physically, mentally and emotionally".

Frame, 34, of South Eldon Street in South Shields, was found guilty of 14 offences including rape and sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

In a statement read to the court, the girl said she had been "ruined" by Frame and would "have to live with that forever".

She said her childhood had been "ripped away" and he was the "reason" why she was scared of men.

She also said she struggled to sleep, always hid herself away and had "stopped smiling".

'Full of fear'

"He stole something from me," the girl said, adding: "A side of myself I won't get to see ever again."

She said she could no longer trust people and could never see herself having a relationship with a man.

Judge Julie Clemitson said Frame's actions had been "heinous", adding he had left his young victim living a life "full of fear".

She said people thought well of Frame but "underneath there was clearly something much darker, harmful and abusive".

Frame must serve a further year on an extended licence upon his release.

He was also given a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order for life.

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