An Aurora man has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a young child he knew.

Brandon M. Niford, 30, of the 400 block of Plum Street, Aurora, was sentenced today by Circuit Judge Karen Simpson to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Niford was convicted May 7, 2014, by a Kane County jury of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony.

Between February 2007 and February 2010, Niford engaged in an act of sexual penetration with the victim, whom he knew. The victim was younger than 13 at the time.

In addition to the prison sentence, Niford must register for life as a sex offender in accordance with the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.

According to Illinois law, Niford must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for at least 444 days served in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest.

“We are grateful for the courage this victim showed in coming forward. Her willingness to report this assault and testify prevented Mr. Niford from preying on other children,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Lori Schmidt and Reagan McGuire, who are assigned to the Kane County Child Advocacy Center.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release