A FORMER Workington Reds footballer has been jailed for 21 years over historic sex abuse.

Graham Gill, now 68 years old, carried out the horrific abuse on his young victim during the 70s and 80s in the Leyland area.

Gill joined Reds for the 1978/79 season and was there for seven seasons playing over 300 games for the club.

He had denied the offences but was found guilty by a jury following a week-long trial at Preston Crown Court.

The jury unanimously found him guilty of 16 counts – ten of indecent assault, four of rape and two other sexual offences. The victim was aged between six and 16 at the time.

Gill, of Sandringham Avenue, Leyland, was sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison. He will serve two thirds of that sentence before he is eligible to apply for parole.

After the case Det Con Michelle Thompson, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Child Protection Unit, said: “Gill is an abhorrent offender who subjected his young victim to systematic and violent sexual abuse over a lengthy period.

“I would like to commend her for her courage in both coming forward to report this horrific abuse and in facing her abuser through the court process.

“I hope that this conviction and sentence gives others who may have suffered similar abuse to come forward.”

Enza Geldard, senior crown prosecutor for the CPS North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “Graham Gill is a depraved, controlling and manipulative man who subjected a young girl to persistent sexual abuse, and physical abuse over ten years during her formative years, which devastated her entire childhood and her aspirations as an adult.

“I would like to commend this incredibly brave woman for finding the strength to report the abuse after carrying the burden of what had happened to her for decades, and furthermore standing up to him at the trial.

"I hope she can now begin to move on with her life.”

One of Gill’s former Workington team-mates said: “This is simply beyond belief. He presented as a quiet, unassuming person who was a gifted footballer.

“The offences occurred when he was playing alongside us all at Workington and like a lot of other lads I am shocked and appalled by the horrific details.

"He was named Player of the Year one season and I think that should be removed from the club's honours board."