Man who 'repeatedly exploited' young girl jailed for child sex offences

20.02.2022 - 13:21 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

A man who police said 'repeatedly exploited' a young girl has been jailed for child sex offences.

Police have praised her courage in reporting depraved Keiron Degnan's crimes.

Degnan, 35, of Cowie Street, Crompton, Oldham, was previously convicted of child sex offences in 2006 and was under the terms of a sex offenders notification at the time of his latest offending, police said.

Greater Manchester Police said he pleaded not guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a female aged under 16 and one count of breaching his sex offender registration requirements, but was found guilty of all counts by a jury after a trial.

The force said he was jailed by a judge for 10 years at Manchester Crown Court today - Friday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a female aged under 16.

All the charges related to the same victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said a GMP spokesman.

In a statement, GMP said: "The court heard how in June 2019, Degnan had been living as a lodger at a friend's home in Ashton where the offences took place.

"One evening when the victim was watching television in the living room of the house, Degnan proceeded to engage her in conversation before then performing a sexual act on her.

"He then went on to have full intercourse with the girl on numerous occasions over a period of at least 16 months.

"In May 2021, the victim confided to her parents what had been happening and Degnan was reported to the police.

"Degnan had at the time been under the terms of a sex offenders notification which was handed to him in 2006 following a conviction for previous child sex offences."

Detective Constable Natalie Fairhurst of GMP Tameside District, said: "Degnan repeatedly exploited