A HAMPSHIRE police officer subjected a young girl to ten years of systematic sexual abuse, a court heard today.

Gary Clarke, 48, began abusing the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when she was seven, the court heard.

The officer, who has 17 years experience, is on trial at Kingston Crown Court, Surrey, charged with 20 offences including rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child.

The court heard the abuse took place in a variety of locations around the Portsmouth area, and became more daring as the girl got older, leading to Clarke raping her in the back of his car in woods near his house.

Nicola Merrick, prosecuting, told the court that Clarke, of Fareham, would ask his alleged victim to "play the game" before forcing her to perform oral sex.

She said that on another occasion he told his victim that "she was a good girl and he was proud of her".

The girl eventually went to the police with the allegations, said Miss Merrick, adding: "She said she was frightened to tell the police about this, or anyone, because Clarke was a policeman."

Clarke denies all the charges.

Proceeding.