A child rapist has been handed an 18-year sentence at court for a series of serious sexual offences against children.

Paul Davies, 45, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 8 August of two counts of rape of a girl, two counts of assault a girl by penetration.

Davies was sentenced to 18 years for one count of rape and 18 for the other, to run concurrently.

He was handed a further term of 15 years for each of the sexual assault convictions, also to run concurrently.

Davies was further ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, handed a restraining order against contacting his victim and pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Three further charges of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child were ordered to lie on file.

DC Harriet Adams-Evans, of the Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: “We are pleased to get this long sentence for Davies whose disgusting actions have had an awful impact upon his victim.

“This has brought some justice for the victim, and I would like to thank her trusting the judicial process.

“We hope this court result will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault or those who know of such crimes to come forward and speak to us so we can attempt to bring their attackers to justice too.

“We will always listen to you and act where appropriate to bring predators like Davies before the courts with the aim of securing justice and long custodial sentences as in this case.”