A PENSIONER who started abusing a young girl “within days of burying his wife” has been jailed.

Stephen Henly made the youngster endure years of abuse during the 1990s, which culminated in rape.

The 73 year old would give the victim alcohol as a reward after he abused her.

Henly was sentenced to 16-years imprisonment, of which he will serve half before he is eligible to go out on license.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Henly’s victim was left suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder and used anti-depressants to cope with her nightmares.

Prosecutor Simon Jones read an impact statement to the court which said the victim “does not sleep at night as she has horrible, disgusting dreams”.

He said after the attacks, the victim was overdosing and said that she had feelings of being trapped, having low self-esteem and a feeling of worthlessness.

Mr Jones added: “The victim in this case has suffered severe psychological harm.”

Mitigating, Claire Wiggett told the court Henly began offending after the sudden death of his wife.

She said: “This is a defendant with no previous conviction and his offending coincided with the grief he suffered.”

Henly denied one count of rape and 10 charges of indecent assault on a minor but was found guilty following a trial.

Ms Wiggett added that Henly maintained his innocence.

Judge Christopher Parker QC said: “You began this offending within days of your wife being buried.”

He added: “You abused her sexually, continuously and frequently.”

Henly, of Glen Mobile Home Park, Colden Common, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.

After eight years he will be released on licence and a sexual harm prevention order was made, continuing until further notice.