A RAPIST who committed multiple sexual attacks on two young girls has been jailed for 20 years.

James Philips denied two counts of rape on a female under 16, three counts of inciting a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency, one count of sexual assault on a girl under 13 and one count of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

But a jury at Reading Crown Court last month unanimously found the 32-year-old, of Springfield Drive, in Calne, Wiltshire, guilty of the seven charges which relate to two girls aged between four and 11.

However, the jury found him not guilty of indecent assaults on a girl under 14 years, which related to another victim.

A judge sitting at Reading Crown Court on Friday jailed Philips for 15 years for each count of rape, to run concurrently, and five years in prison for the other counts, to be served consecutively

The attacks all happened in Reading between 1997 and 2011 and speaking after the hearing Detective Constable Lisa Flitter said it was good that Philips had not escaped justice.

She added: “The victims have shown great courage in coming forward to tell police about the horrific acts that Philips carried out, and I am pleased that he has today received a strong punishment.

“I hope that the knowledge that Philips will be behind bars for a long time will help the victims to move on from their ordeal.”