Teesside Crown Court heard how the 41-year-old mad a full confession to police when he was confronted with his deviant behaviour.

The defendant carried out the abuse over a relatively short period of time several years age, Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told the court.

Outlining the details of the sexual offences, Mr Dodds said Rutter had admitted to sexual activity taking place on at least ten occasions in the two-month period.

Reading from sections of Rutter’s police interview, Mr Dodds said: “He said they would kiss like an adult which would lead to other things.”

The court heard how the victim’s mother refused to allow police to interview her child and the prosecution went ahead due to Rutter’s admissions.

Mr Dodds added: “He told the victim he could go to jail for what he was doing but he continued with that behaviour even after that discussion.”

Rutter, of Goldrill Gardens, Redcar, pleaded guilty to four offences, sexual assault on an under 13-year-old child; engage in sexual activity with a child under 13; sexual assault on a child under 13 by penetration; and oral rape.

Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told Rutter that his offending was ‘extraordinarily serious’ and jailed him for eight years with an additional one year on extended licence following his release.

“All of these offences took place over a relative short period of time,” he said. “The extraordinary feature of this case is you never challenged what the victim said happened, unlike in so many cases that this court sees.

“You didn’t cause the victim to give evidence, your admission meant they didn’t need to be spoken to in a formal situation by the police“

Rutter was also issued with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.