FORMER Lyneham man Michael Ernest Leach, 69, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison for child sexual offences at Swindon Crown Court on Monday.

Leach pleaded guilty to attempted rape of a child and five counts of indecency with a child dating back to 1979.

The offences took place at two addresses in Lyneham.

DC Julie White said: “The victim lived with the horror of what Leach had done to her for 35 years before she felt able to report it to police.

“I would like to commend her bravery and we hope that the sentence today will give her some peace of mind, although no sentence could ever take away the pain she has suffered.”

Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to them.