A FORMER nightclub boss is today starting a 12-year jail term for 'continuously' sexually abusing a girl from the age of six.

Christopher Martin Ward was yesterday convicted of nine sexual offence charges against the girl - including three of rape.

A jury at Dorchester Crown Court took just over three hours to find Ward, 42, of Main Road, Puddletown, guilty.

Recorder Christopher Wilson-Smith branded Ward, a former manager of Dorchester nightclub Liberty's, a 'bully' for abusing his victim over a period of 10 years. The victim, who cannot be named, is now aged in her 30s. The offences happened during the 1980s. The court also heard that she had had an abortion after becoming pregnant.

The court heard Ward forced the girl to perform sexual acts on him, some involving bestiality, before repeatedly raping her.

Ward, who told court he had undergone a vasectomy before the offences happened, claimed the complainant was a 'liar' and described the allegations as 'fantasy'.

Jailing Ward, Recorder Wilson-Smith told him: "This has been a very disturbing case. You sexually abused this girl over a period of ten years during which time you repeatedly raped her. You told her no one would believe her if she told anyone what had happened.

"I've no doubt what you did made her life a living hell. In court you branded her a liar. There is no doubt you were a bully whose conduct was truly appalling.

"There is no mitigation in this case."

Shaven-headed Ward stood head bowed as his jail term was announced but showed no emotion.

Earlier the jury heard how the defendant repeatedly raped the girl when she was 14.

Prosecutor Neil Mitchell told how Ward smothered the victim and threatened the girl unless she submitted and allowed him to have sex.

The court heard how Ward 'hit the roof' after discovering the girl became pregnant at the age of 14.

Prosecutor Neil Mitchell told the court Ward had smothered the girl and performed indecent acts on her with a dog.

Ward was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life to protect others from his 'depravity'.

For Ward, Iain Ross said the defendant had one previous conviction when he received 150 community service in 1995 for possessing counterfeit cash. "He accepts a lengthy term of imprisonment for the nature of the offences," he said.

"A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since these offences were committed. My client has since married and set up a new home."