Nine years for stepdaughter abuse

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A 38-year-old Belfast man who sexually abused his stepdaughter over a six-year period has been jailed for nine years.

The man, who cannot be named to protect his victim's identity, was found guilty of 27 counts of indecent assault.

The accused stood trial at Belfast Crown Court last year on charges spanning a period from 1989 to 1995.

The court was told by his defence counsel "he maintains his innocence", but the judge said his actions had taken the victim's childhood from her.

Judge Kevin Finnegan QC said the abuse had a traumatic effect on the victim.