A FORMER Wrecclesham man dubbed ‘Britain’s most prolific dad’ has been handed a lengthy jail term after being found guilty of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl.

Michael Redman, 60, who lived in Riverdale until the early 2000s and now lives in Ash, was sentenced to more than five-and-a-half years at Guildford Crown Court just before Christmas for subjecting the girl to repeated indecent assaults over a three-year period starting in 2008.

He denied three counts of sexual assault on a child, two counts of assault by penetration and four counts of making indecent pictures, but was convicted by a jury following a trial.

During the trial, the court heard Redman - an ex-soldier and bus driver who has reportedly fathered 28 children with nine women - would visit his teenage victim’s home and molest her as well as taking photos of her naked.

On other occasions he took the girl to an isolated woodland in Frensham, where he again touched her intimately and forced her to take her clothes off for photos.

Redman’s crimes only became apparent when his victim, now aged 19, felt strong enough to tell her father who in turn encouraged her to notify the police.

In his defence, Redman said the girl made up the accusations due to her hostility towards him because of his lifestyle.

However, after a one-and-a-half week trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts and sentencing him on December 21, Judge Peter Moss ordered the former Wrecclesham man to serve 68 months behind bars.

Redman has also been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning him from contacting anyone under the age of 16 without the express permission of a parent or guardian who is aware of his convictions.

Speaking after the trial, detective inspector Mark Chapman of Surrey Police’s safeguarding investigation unit said: “The sentence reflects the severity of the offences committed by this dangerous individual.

“Redman’s predatory behaviour came to light after the victim had the courage to come forward and speak out about the abuse she had suffered.

“The outcome should serve as a warning to those who do or have sexually abused children that Surrey Police take all such allegations seriously.

“Furthermore, Surrey Police will fully support victims and investigate whether in regard to a recent or non-recent allegation.”