A man has been jailed for 13 years after he was found guilty of multiple child sexual offences.

Karl Smith, 71, of Tamworth, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday (9 May).

Smith was found guilty of rape a female under 16, six counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years and two counts of indecency with a girl under 14 years of age following a trial in February 2025.

The allegations against Smith were reported to us in 2019 and our child protection team launched an investigation.

Smith has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Detective Constable Laura Turner, the officer in the case, said: “Despite denying the offences, a jury saw through Smith’s lies.

“The sentence was only possible thanks to the sheer determination and bravery of the victim and the impact has been significant and long-lasting.

“It is never too late to report a crime, and by doing so, you are helping us to bring these dangerous perpetrators to justice."