A sick paedophile who abused a school child for more than half a decade has been jailed for 20 years.

Giorgos Lagji, 38, subjected his victim to a crusade of sexual abuse starting from when she was just eight years old.

Lagji raped and sexually assaulted the girl numerous times over a period of six years.

The brave survivor came forward and reported the abuse to police in 2022, and officers immediately launched an investigation.

Lagji was arrested by police but denied the allegations against him.

He was charged in December 2022 with 28 offences including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and making indecent images of a child.

In May last year, Lagji, of no fixed abode, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where a jury saw through his lies and convicted him of all 28 counts of the sexual abuse.

And today (Wednesday), he appeared at the same court where he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

During the trial, the survivor of Lagji’s crimes shared these words: “He made me feel helpless. I was only a child when the abuse began. I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I knew that the behaviour wasn’t ‘normal’, but this was all I knew.

“My childhood and innocence have been ripped from my hands and heart. I feel like I can never behave normally again. I have become good at masking how I am feeling as I have had to hide my emotions for so long and put on a front for other people.

“I put a smile on my face and tell people I’m fine, but inside I am broken. My childhood ended when my innocence was taken away from me and, for years, that’s all I have known.”

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Detective Constable Lisa Herron, of Northumbria Police, led the investigation and supported the survivor throughout the investigation and subsequent trial.

Talking after the sentencing, she said: “This is one of the worst and longest spanning cases of abuse I’ve seen in my time with Northumbria Police.

“The victim in this case has shown such bravery in coming forward and speaking up against the person who systematically abused her for such a long time.

“I’d like to praise her courage and composure throughout this whole investigation and the criminal justice process; her commitment to justice has been unwavering.”

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Det Con Herron added: “Now the whole world knows what Lagji is – a predatory monster.

“This sentence goes no way in erasing what the survivor has been through, but it means that Lagji will spend decades in prison and will be closely monitored for the rest of his life, which is what he deserves.

“I’m sure our communities will rest easier knowing he is behind bars – all thanks to this girl’s heroism.”

Anyone who has experienced of any sexual abuse should contact police using the ‘Report’ pages on the Northumbria Police website or contact 101.