AN EX teaching assistant has been slammed as "evil" after she was convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy.
North Yorkshire woman Denise Povall, 61, was jailed for eight years with a jury finding she groomed and manipulated her victim in a sustained and sinister campaign of abuse.
The offending took place in the early 2000s, when Denise worked at a primary school in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire cops said she had sexual intercourse with the boy and performed sex acts on multiple occasions.
Denise was described as a controlling figure who lured the victim through gifting presents and sending texts.
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Cops began to probe the Ripon woman when the victim came forward in adulthood complaining of abuse he suffered as a primary school student.
The force then launched "an extensive investigation into the teaching assistant and midday supervisor", lifting the lid on her dark past.
Denise was subsequently slapped with a series of horror charges, including grooming, inciting sex with a child, inciting sexual activity with a child and sexual assault by touching.
Denise continually denied the allegations levelled against her, leading to a showdown at York Crown Court.
The jury found her guilty of all of the charges.
She was consequently sentenced to the slammer for eight years and will be a member of the sex offenders' register upon release.
Speaking outside court, investigation boss Detective Constable Alison Morris blasted Denise as an evil woman who has refused to reflect on the terror she inflicted.
DC Morris said: "This has been a long and extensive investigation into some of the most serious types of offences we encounter as detectives.
"What we uncovered can only be described as evil and sustained sexual abuse of a young child by a paedophile.
"Povall has taken absolutely no accountability for the damage she has done to her victim's life, so I'm glad we've been able to help the victim secure some sort of closure."
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DC Morris praised the victim as "incredibly brave" for coming forward years later, pointing out what she said was a "misconception" that women aren't perpetrators of sexual assault.
DC Morris added: "Due to the way paedophiles such as Povall groom, manipulate and control their victims, we know child sexual abuse is under-reported.
"So I want anyone who thinks they may have been sexually assaulted - no matter how long ago it happened - to know they can come forward."
