A COURT heard how the victim of historic sexual abuse has suffered "psychological harm" as a result of the offences.

John Sydney Adam, of Fidler Street, Toll Bar was sent to jail for 14 years at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

He was convicted of three counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault in relation to one victim, a teenage girl. He was also convicted of another count of indecent assault on another girl, who was under 10.

At the sentencing hearing, which took place following a trial, prosecutor Nicola Daley spoke of the effects Adam's abuse had on his victims.

She said how in a victim personal statement the victim "indicates practical ways she has been affected" including her "self esteem and not looking to wear make-up".

She said how the younger victim has been affected in relation to "her view of her own body".

Ms Daley added: "It is apparent that both victims have been affected and that perhaps over the years in keeping it to themselves has had an even greater impact than had it been raised at the time."

She added "there has been psychological harm as a result. It's always difficult to suggest that everything that has occurred have resulted from a particular abuse but it must have been a significant feature."

Judge Recorder Jeremy Lasker said in relation to the older victim "it was not until she was been seen by mental health professionals in 2017 that she felt able to provide any authority with a full account of what you have done to her all those years before.

"She has requested support for her mental fragility for much of her adult life" and "she self-harmed".

The judge said to Adam: "There can be absolutely no doubt that your decision to satisfy your own sexual gratification by abusing her when she was a teenager has had a significant and lasting effect upon her."

He said these are "obviously extremely serious offences" and in electing for a trial "there is no credit which you would have been entitled to receive had you admitted your guilt".

He added Adam was to be regarded as "an offender of particular concern", which adds one extra year of extended licence at the end of his custodial term.

Adam, wearing a green top, remained silent in the dock as he was given the jail sentence.

He was given seven separate sentences for each of the counts he was convicted, to all be served concurrently.

Adam was given 14-year sentences each for the first two counts of rape and 10 years for the third.

He was sentenced to five years each for two of the indecent assault charges and two years for another.

He was also given a nine-month sentence for the indecent assault on the younger victim.

Reacting to the sentence, Detective Constable Emma O’Toole said: "Adam’s victims have shown immense courage in coming forward to report his appalling crimes and I want to commend them for the bravery shown throughout the investigation.

“Adam prolonged his victims' suffering by denying the offences resulting in a trial, and I am pleased that he will now be put behind bars for a considerable amount of time.”

Keith Sutton, defending Adam in court, said "he hasn't been in any trouble" in the time since the offences and "no repeat of this incident at any stage despite his now advancing years."

He asked the judge to consider that Adam has numerous health issues including "COPD for the last 10 years, emphysema, angina, a heart attack" and has a "stent" inserted and also has "osteoporosis and reduced blood flow" and is on "a number of medications".