A BROMSGROVE man has been sentenced for 15 years after a series of sex offences against young girls over a four year period.

Melvyn Stewart Banner, 42, from Bishop Hall Crescent, Bromsgrove, was found guilty by a jury at Worcester Crown Court on December 18.

The jury reached a unanimous decision after hearing that Banner abused two girls over a three year period.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said Banner had shown no remorse for perverted and immoral activity.

He said Banner had taken advantage of two young girls for his own sexual gratification. The jury had believed their evidence during the trial and rejected Banner's claim that their stories had been made up.

Banner was found guilty of five charges of raping a child under the age of 13, three charges of rape of an adult, one of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one of sexual assault on a child of 13.

The judge ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and he also made a sex offences prevention order banning him from contact with anyone under the age of 18 for life.

An investigation was launched after one of the girls reported her ordeal to police. During the investigation, the second girl made disclosures to officers.

DC Matt Skelton said: “Banner is an exceptionally dangerous individual who preyed on vulnerable young girls. His behaviour will have a lasting effect on his victims.

"We welcome the sentence and are pleased that Banner will spend a substantial part of the remainder of his life behind bars where he will be unable to carry out further attacks of this kind.

“I would like to praise the bravery of the two victims in this case. What they have been through is unimaginable and hopefully today will provide some form of closure that will help them to rebuild their lives.

“I would also like to thank the witnesses whose testimony was key to securing this conviction and ensuring Banner has been sent to prison for a long time.”