DETECTIVES who led a major rape inquiry involving a 13-year-old girl have welcomed the imprisonment of a man charged in connection with the investigation.

Jonathan Davies, aged 20, from Woodland Place, Cefn Hengoed, was sentenced at Cardiff crown court to 16 months detention and training at a young offenders' institution. An investigation involving 30 police officers took place last August when the girl said she was raped after walking through a beer garden at the Penllwyn Arms in Pontllanfraith.

Davies pleaded guilty to the charge of having sexual activity with a child. Detective Chief Inspector Rhiannon Hodges, from Gwent Police, said: "Davies was charged with the offence of rape of this 13-year-old girl.

"He pleaded not guilty to rape but guilty to the offence of sexual activity with a child.

"After full consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, prosecution counsel, the police and the victim's family, it was decided to accept the guilty plea and therefore spare this young victim the trauma of a full trial.

"It has been a difficult few months for the parents who have fully supported their daughter at every stage.

"Knowing that Davies has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment can only help her and her family in their recovery."

Detective Inspector Ruth Price said: "We are particularly pleased with the fact that Davies will never be allowed to work with children and that on his release, he will be registered as a sex offender, enabling us and other agencies to closely monitor him and protect other young people."

In December, Davies' friend Neil Bishop, 31, from Hill View, Pontllanfraith, was jailed for nine months at Newport crown court for perverting the course of justice.

During his sentencing, the court heard how Bishop and Davies had been drinking in the Penllwyn Arms' beer garden. The girl met the pair after she had been with some friends in a playground.

Bishop told detectives he had not seen her.