A PERVERT who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a little girl handed himself over to police because he wanted his victim to have justice.

And today (Thursday) Alan Baillie (52) was jailed for more than seven years by a judge who told him he had "wrecked lives".

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Baillie, originally from Dunfermline, started abusing a 10-year-old girl at various addresses in Fife in early 1994.

The abuse continued for four more years.

First offender Baillie kept silent for more than 10 years but eventually admitted the offences to detectives last year.

Baillie, now of Aylsbury Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to charges of rape and lewd, indecent and libidinous practices.

Jailing him for seven years and three months today, judge Lord Kinclaven told Baillie he had committed serious offences against the girl.

"She has clearly been deeply affected by your criminal actions," said the judge.

Pleading for leniency, defence advocate Susan Duff told how Baillie had waited for years "looking over his shoulder" because he knew that eventually he would end up in court.

He went to the police himself because he thought it was a way of helping the girl.

"He cannot change what he has done but he can try to minimise the effect of what he has done by accepting responsibility.

"He wishes he could turn the clock back," added the lawyer.