CHILDLINE has stressed the importance of its ground-breaking work in Bradford schools after one of its visits netted a wicked paedophile from the city.

A victim of child rapist Ian Burbank spoke out after hearing a talk from a representative from the charity, Bradford Crown Court was told on Friday.

The little girl was shaking from head to foot when she confided in a teacher, leading to a 12 year jail sentence for Burbank, 67, of Moorside Gardens, Eccleshill, Bradford.

He pleaded guilty to raping and sexually abusing three girls, aged between eight and ten, over a four year period.

Today, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “This case highlights just how important it is that we talk to children about abuse and give them the knowledge and confidence they need to speak out.

"There’s no knowing how long this man may have continued to sexually abuse children had the child not heard from ChildLine and had the confidence to tell someone.

“We understand that talking to children about abuse - especially sexual abuse - can be difficult, which is why the ChildLine Schools Service tackles these issues in an age-appropriate way and helps to give children the skills to protect themselves and shows them where to go for help.

“The NSPCC’s ground-breaking ChildLine Schools Service has visited 55 primary schools across Bradford and spoken to 4,349 children about how to keep themselves safe from abuse.

“Children can seek free, confidential support from ChildLine by phone or online, 24 hours a day via 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk.”

The court heard that Burbank was arrested as a direct consequence of the charity's visit to a school attended by one of his victims.

Each of the three girls thought they were the only one being abused.

Burbank told them the terrible things he was doing to them were a secret and he would to prison if they did not keep quiet.

A little girl was made to watch adult pornography and all three were repeatedly molested.

One of the children was so traumatised she could not speak about her ordeal but had to write down what Burbank did to her.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, praised the bravery of the first victim and the role of Childline in helping to bring Burbank to justice.