A child rapist who used to live in Wells has been jailed for 10 years.

Marcus Pressley, 29, formerly of Wells, but now of West Road, Oakham, denied two counts of rape, assault by penetration and causing a child to watch a sexual act but was found guilty by a jury at Taunton Crown Court earlier this month.

Yesterday, (July 21) he was jailed for 10 years by Judge Timothy Rose, sitting at Exeter Crown Court. He also placed him on the sex offenders' register for life and made a sexual harm prevention order which bans any further contact with under-age girls.

The victim was just seven years old at the time of the offence, and the court heard how she felt "destroyed" by Pressley's abuse.

DC Anthony Davis said: "Marcus Pressley exploited the victim's vulnerability and young age to sexually abuse her.

"The victim has shown incredible bravery to speak out about the abuse and we hope Pressley's sentencing provides all victims of sexual abuse with the confidence to report what they have been through to police."