A CHILD rapist who carried out repeated sex attacks on a “vulnerable” schoolgirl is today starting a 12-year jail sentence.

Frank Haddock, 48, of London Road South, Lowestoft, had denied six offences of rape but was found guilty after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court last month.

Sentence was adjourned until yesterday when Judge John Devaux described the victim of the assaults as “vulnerable”.

“This was not just one act, it was repeated offending,” said the judge.

In addition to jailing Haddock for 12 years Judge Devaux ordered him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, banned him from working with children and made him the subject of an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which will restrict his contact with children in the future.

Jude Durr, for Haddock, said his client had no previous convictions and had not used excessive violence or a weapon to injure or frighten the victim.

After the trial Suffolk police praised the victim’s bravery and courage in bringing the matter to court. The case was investigated as part of Operation Gemini, under which specialist officers take responsibility for rape allegations from the start to ensure that complainants receive the best-possible support.