A 71-YEAR-OLD paedophile convicted of raping a young child has been jailed for 14 years – and is "likely to die in prison".
Ambrose Clifton denied charges of rape, sexual assault, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, making an indecent photograph of a child and taking an indecent photograph but was convicted on all counts at Lincoln Crown Court earlier this year.
Sentencing was delayed after the pensioner fell ill with what was believed to be pneumonia, and spent time in intensive care at Grimsby's hospital.
But he was arrested on his release and remanded in custody to await a court hearing.
During the trial, held earlier this year, the jury heard that Clifton committed offences against the child and then warned the youngster and their mother would both die if anything was revealed about what happened.
But the child immediately told their mother, and Clifton was arrested in October 2010.
The victim, who suffered from extreme trauma as a result of the attack, did not make any formal witness statement.
Instead, the prosecution's case was heavily based on circumstantial and "hearsay" evidence, as well as evidence and indecent photographs of the victim found on Clifton's computer.
Recorder Gareth Evans QC, passing sentence, told Clifton, who lives in South Reston, near Louth: "You have been convicted on what I believe was overwhelming evidence. It is quite clear that you had no answer to an awful lot of the prosecution case against you.
"You threatened the child. That was a dreadful thing to do. You know the outcome is going to be a long custodial sentence."
Timothy Spencer, QC, defending, said Clifton suffers from serious health problems and is likely to die in prison.
He said: "The prospect of him coming out of prison before he dies is limited. The day he was released from hospital was his last day on this earth at liberty."
He told that Clifton's home was repossessed for failing to keep up with mortgage payments. The pensioner now faces bankruptcy as he is being pursued for the outstanding debt on the house.
Following the case, the victim's family said it was "satisfied" with the jail term.
"This has been every parent's worst nightmare but we now hope to put it behind us and move forward," they said in a statement.
Detective Constable David Moxham, of Lincolnshire Police, added: "This has been one of the most distressing cases I have dealt with.
"Ambrose Clifton has showed no remorse and continues to deny the offences in the face of the compelling evidence that convinced the jury of his guilt."
