A PAEDOPHILE rapist has been jailed for 12 years after he admitted a series of sex offences against two young girls.

Richard Horner, aged 53, raped a teenage girl following abuse which dated back to when she was aged 11.

He also admitted sexually abusing a second girl when she was aged 11 and 12.

In total he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and 11 specimen charges of gross indecency with children.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told how the crimes, which happened during the 1980s and 90s, came to light when his rape victim, severely affected by the abuse, contacted police in 2013.

She told how it began when Horner took her into his bathroom and got her to carry out a sex act on him.

The sex offences happened very frequently and increased in seriousness until he raped her on several occasions, starting when she was aged 14.

When arrested Horner initially denied the allegations, claiming he could not have committed them because he suffered from erectile dysfunction.

But police inquiries led to a second victim coming forward whom Horner had also abused.

Judge Timothy Stead heard how, in 2002, Horner was also convicted of gross indecency with a six-year-old girl.

Robert Elias, defending, described Horner's offending as "hideous".

"The effects upon an impressionable child were incalculable," he added.

He told the court how Horner claimed to have been abused himself as a child and this has resulted in him living a life without "the normal moral compass and rules of behaviour".

"He used (his victim) as a sexual plaything whenever he thought he could get away with it," added Mr Elias.

Judge Stead jailed Horner, of Langford Gardens, Daubhill, for 12 years.

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Mike Mather, of Bolton's child protection unit, paid tribute to the bravery of the women Horner abused, particularly the victim who reported him.

"The crime has had a profound effect upon her, but despite that she has had the courage to see it through," he said.

"Horner is undoubtedly a very predatory and dangerous man."