Speaking after sentencing, Det Con Maurizio Lucchesi said Bate had shown “no regard” for the girl.
He said Bate had denied what happened “even when faced with all the evidence against him, which forced her to relive her experiences in court, “which could not have been easy”.
He said the girl deserved praise for the “courage” she showed throughout the trial and the investigation and he hoped the sentence would provide “some closure” and allow her to “move forward… knowing that he will never be able do the same to any other children”.
“Bate is clearly a sexual predator, whose only interest is to fulfil his own sexual gratification,” he added.
“The jury have seen through his lies and he is now being held accountable for his actions.”
Bate was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.
