A RAPIST has been jailed for 12 years for a string of child sex offences.

Charles David Moore was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday, February 16, after he was found guilty of nine charges by a jury last month.

Moore’s crimes, which were all committed in 2018, included raping a girl.

Judge Brian Forster QC told Moore, 38 and of Bournemouth, he had been convicted by the jury of a “series of serious sexual offences”.

He said it was clear Moore’s crimes “will affect her (the girl) for many years”.

Prosecuting, Tom Horder told the court Moore’s most serious offences, two counts of rape, carried a starting point of 10 years imprisonment, with a range of eight to 13 years.

Mitigating, Audrey Archer said the defendant, who has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties, presents as far younger than his actual age of 38.

The court heard Moore had no previous convictions, was of previous good character and the impact of him going to prison would be “significant”.

“It will act as a full deterrent upon his release,” said Ms Archer.

She said Moore did not pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public through the commission of further specified offences. Judge Forster QC agreed and therefore did not sentence the defendant as a dangerous offender.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of sexual assault by penetration of a child and two counts of rape of child.

A jury found him guilty of all offences following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court in January.

The judge issued a special custodial sentence of 12 years imprisonment, with a further period of one year on licence.

He said the case will be referred to the Parole Board, who will assess when the defendant would be deemed suitable for release from custody.

Moore, who appeared at yesterday's hearing via video link from custody, was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offenders register requirements, which will run indefinitely.

In a statement after the hearing, DC Ken Todd, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “I would like to praise the victim for having the courage to speak out about what happened to her so that Moore could be held accountable for his despicable actions.

“The victim has been safeguarded throughout the course of this investigation.

“I hope this case will encourage anyone else who is the victim of this type of offending to come forward in the knowledge that action will be taken against offenders.

"We are absolutely committed to investigating any allegations of sexual offending against children and I would urge anyone who believes their child may have been a victim of such offences to come forward to Dorset Police.”