A FORMER skate park manager who raped a nine-year-old girl in her own home has been jailed.

Philip Railton sexually abused the child over a period of more than six months – with his offending only discovered when his young victim’s mum discovered a harrowing letter in which she detailed the sickening sex acts he had ordered her to perform.

On Monday, October 14, the 38-year-old was found unanimously found guilty of two counts of rape, two charges of sexual assault and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Railton, formerly a manager at Ramp 1 Skate Park on Penketh Business Park, targeted the girl on a number of occasions at her home in Northwich between November 2014 and August 2015.

His abuse was exposed when the vulnerable victim wrote a letter ‘to a police officer’, which was discovered in her rucksack by her mum.

This letter described how he had touched her inappropriately, kissed her and forced her to perform sexual acts on him.

She added that she ‘did not feel safe’ around Railton, from Weaverham.

Later that evening, he called the victim’s mum from a withheld number ‘sounding nervous and confused’ after the police had been informed.

Judge Simon Berkson handed Railton 12 years behind bars after he was convicted on all counts after a five-day trial at Chester Crown Court.

Sentencing, judge Berkson said: “Throughout the trial you tried to cast your victim in a bad light – the jury saw through that and found that you lied.

“This is a very sad case – on six separate occasions you abused your victim.

“The abuse took place in her own home, where she should have felt safe.

“She was under the impression that something bad would happen to her if she told anyone.”

Railton, who will serve half of his sentence before being released on licence, was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim and her family.

Detective constable Mo Deakin, from Cheshire Police’s dedicated rape investigations unit, added: “First and foremost I want to acknowledge the remarkable bravery and courage of the young victim in this case.

“To be subjected to such a horrific experience at such a young age is bad enough, but to then have to relive it in court is truly awful.

“This case has been challenging for all those involved, but especially for the victim and her family.

“I have worked alongside them for the past two years, and they have been an immense source of support for each other through a very difficult and trying time.

“Philip Railton committed horrendous offences against a young child.

“He maintained his innocence throughout, but thankfully the jury has seen through his lies and convicted him of six sexual offences – I am pleased that there has been a successful conclusion to this case and a dangerous sexual offender is now behind bars, where he will remain for a very long time.

“I hope that this gives other victims in a similar situation the courage to come forward and report what has happened to them.

“Cheshire’s dedicated rape unit has a team of specialist officers committed to dealing with this type of crime and providing advice and support to victims.”

The NSPCC has condemned Railton's 'appalling' actions while praising the bravery of the victim in coming forward.

A charity spokesman said: “Railton’s disgusting and repeated attacks on a vulnerable child were appalling, and his insistence on taking the girl through the trial process has no doubt compounded the trauma that this young girl has already been subjected to by this vile man.

“Her bravery in speaking out has ensured Railton could be brought to justice, and her courage cannot be underestimated.

"The NSPCC’s Speak Out, Stay Safe programme visits schools around the UK to teach primary school children in age-appropriate language about abuse, and how they can seek help to end it.

"We would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse to seek support.”

Children can report abuse by calling Childline on 0800 1111, while adults with concerns can phone the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.