A girl tried to kill herself after she was twice raped by an unrepentant paedophile.
John Newton attacked his victim when she was aged between nine and 11 in historic sex offences that have now come to light.
The 56-year-old also made the child perform sex acts on him and watch pornography.
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Newton denied any wrongdoing, which forced the now adult woman to give evidence in a harrowing trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
But the delivery driver was unanimously found guilty of nine sexual offences, including two counts of rape, last month.
Judge David Aubrey, QC, told him: "You continue to be in denial."
Geoffrey Lowe, prosecuting, read out a victim personal statement written by the woman, who was in court to see her abuser sentenced.
The victim described how she suffered from depression and feelings of "hopelessness", which led to her trying to take her own life when she was still a child.
The woman said she felt "lonely", she couldn't deal with her emotions and her moods went from really high to really low, which "makes me feel so sad".
The victim said the trauma affected her personal relationships, she endured flashbacks and sleeping problems, and found it "hard to connect with reality".
Ahead of the trial she started having panic attacks, felt "constant fear" and "found it really hard to get up in the morning", so sought help from her GP.
She said: "I can't believe he put me through this whole process when he could have pleaded guilty at an early stage of these proceedings and spared me all this stress and anxiety."
Newton, of Wood Street, Birkenhead, was found guilty of two counts of rape of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and both causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch sexual activity.
Bernice Campbell, defending, said Judge Aubrey had seen Newton giving his evidence and that "he is a man with autism, on the spectrum".
The judge said: "I'm not minimising that, but it's comparatively mild, is it not?"
Ms Campbell replied: "It is, but it affects emotion. I think that's mentioned in the pre-sentence report. Where he may appear glib - my word - or not realising his situation, it's mainly down to his autism."
She said her client "worked all his life" as a van driver delivering newspapers and magazines to shops, which was a "solitary job", sometimes in the early hours of the morning.
Ms Campbell said Newton, who "has kept himself to himself", lived with his parents until they both died in 2017, then moved out and lived on his own.
The lawyer said: "I think this is a case where less is more. You've seen what his comments are in the pre-sentence document, which I don't want to speak out because I don't want to aggravate or upset anyone in court about his views on the case.
"He has to accept he was found guilty by unanimous verdict by a jury after a trial."
Describing the abuse of the child, Judge Aubrey told Newton he "took the opportunity to sexually assault and abuse her when you could".
He said: "Her psychological scars will live with her forever."
Judge Aubrey added: "This court is satisfied that in consequence of the abuse suffered by her at your hands she has sustained severe psychological harm."
The judge said he was also satisfied the victim was "particularly vulnerable" and there was "an element of grooming" behaviour involved.
Turning to his personal mitigation, Judge Aubrey said Newton, who led "somewhat of a solitary life", didn't have any previous convictions.
He said: "I've also had the benefit of a pre-sentence report, which states that you continue to be in denial.
"You have a diagnosis of autism but I'm satisfied having presided over your trial that does not in any way reduce your culpability.
"But it does indicate that you have some vulnerabilities and I do treat your diagnosis as personal mitigation."
Judge Aubrey jailed Newton for 12 years, with an extended one year on licence as "an offender of particular concern".
This type of sentence means he must serve at least half of the term in prison - six years - before he can apply to the Parole Board for his release.
He will only be released before the end of the 12 years if he is no longer considered to be a risk and will then serve an additional year on licence.
Newton must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 13 years and sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Anyone with information or who wants to report a sexual offence allegation is asked to call 101, where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063, or from Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801.
Children concerned about abuse can contact Childline 24/7 on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about the wellbeing of children can phone the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000.
Anyone concerned about their own behaviour, or that of a family member, can contact stopitnow.org.uk and get-help.stopitnow.org.uk
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