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Man jailed for 'unspeakable crimes' against victim

Rachel Russell
BBC News
Lincolnshire Police Police mugshot image of Gary Ward. He has a grey moustache and hair and is wearing a white top. He is pictured in front of a grey background and is squinting at the camera.Lincolnshire Police
Gary Ward has been sentenced to 20 years in prison

A man has been jailed for 20 years for "unspeakable crimes" against an underage victim.

Gary Ward, 69, of Ladysmith Road, in Grimsby, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was found guilty of 16 sexual offences, including eight counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault, two counts of assault and two counts of gross indecency.

Det Con Katherine Brennan, of Lincolnshire Police, said Ward showed "an utter disregard for his victim's humanity", who was underage when the offences took place in the Louth area.

'Great pain and distress'

She said: "Gary Ward committed unspeakable crimes over a prolonged period of time, causing great pain and distress.

"He showed an utter disregard for his victim's humanity and treated them in a way that is wholly unacceptable and shameful.

"The depravity of his crimes is reflected in the sentence he has been given today, which I hope will bring his victim some closure."

The detective added she could not "stress how much courage it took" for the victim to come forward, adding that "without their bravery, we would not have achieved the justice we have today".

Ward was also given an unlimited sexual harm prevention order and an unlimited restraining order, in addition to the prison sentence.

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