POLICE have paid tribute to the "courage" of a schoolgirl raped repeatedly by a Kelty sex predator.

Steven Hanlon, formerly of Kelty, sexually assaulted his victim when she was aged eight and nine before she revealed the abuse to a woman. 

The victim was crying and was described as "extremely hysterical" when she disclosed the suffering inflicted by Hanlon.

She was interviewed by police and social workers and spoke in detail about the ill-treatment and was medically examined and found to have an STI as a result of the sexual abuse Hanlon put her through.

Hanlon was jailed for eight years at the High Court in Edinburgh today (Thursday) and officers said his victim helped play a "key role" in securing his conviction. 

Hanlon, who had been detained on remand, earlier admitted sexually assaulting and raping her on various occasions between July 2014 and August last year at houses in West Fife.

The offences were reported to Police Scotland in August 2015.

Officers from Fife’s Child Abuse Investigations Unit conducted a robust investigation and Hanlon was subsequently charged on November 18, 2015.

Detective Inspector June Peebles, from the Child Abuse Investigations Unit, said: “Steven Hanlon subjected a young girl to horrific abuse over a prolonged period and as a result of the evidence gathered against him by Police Scotland he will now spend several years in prison. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise his victim for her maturity in courage when assisting us with our investigation. This played a key role in ensuring a conviction against Hanlon.

“The public can rest assured that whenever sexual offences are reported to us they will be investigated professionally and robustly to bring those responsible to justice.

“Anyone wishing to report a crime of this nature can do so by contacting Police Scotland on 101 or by making an anonymous call to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”