A PAEDOPHILE who abused and intimidated young girls over several years will spend at least eight years in prison.

Mark Bradley, 44, formerly of Antrobus Road, Amesbury, was sentenced today at Winchester Crown Court after being found guilty of four counts of rape, two of rape of a child aged 13 to 15 and three charges of cruelty to a child.

He was also found guilty of causing actual bodily harm, four counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.

Bradley denied the abuse, which began when the victims were just seven years old, but was found guilty by a jury sitting at Winchester Crown Court following a four-week trial which started on May 16. Judge John Dixon said the case was “as chilling as it is shocking” and that Bradley's actions had caused “unquestionable and incalculable damage” to his victims.

Today Bradley was sentenced to 16 years in prison and told he will serve a minimum of eight years with another two years on licence.

“The catalogue of offences of which the jury convicted you almost beggars belief. You abandoned any humanity you had. You behaved like an animal - a callous and brutal one at that,” said Judge Dixon.

“You do not accept your guilt and you show not a shred of remorse,” he added.

In an outburst as he was sentenced, Bradley shouted: “I have done nothing to be ashamed of.”

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and a sexual offences prevention order has been put in place.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Mark Bradley is a manipulative and depraved man who intimidated and sexually abused these girls over a period of many years.

“The victims were extremely brave to come forward and report the abuse. Reliving the abuse they suffered must have been very traumatic for them and we hope that the verdict goes some way to help them.

“We encourage anyone who is or has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact us.”