A FORMER soldier from Newport who raped a teenage girl was jailed for 11 years.

Derick John Michael Bourne, of Hoskins Street, Newport, admitted three counts of raping a teenager aged under 16 and one of indecent assault.

Sentencing the 54-year-old to 11 years for the rapes and six years for the indecent assaults to run concurrently, Judge David Wynn Morgan told Cardiff crown court: “The consequences of these crimes (for the victim) remain devastating.”

Bourne was “deeply ashamed” and “genuinely remorseful” for the offences, Mr Rupert Lowe, defending, told the court.

Prosecutor Gareth James said the victim reported the offences after speaking to an old friend who had been through a similar ordeal.

Mr Lowe presented to the court three references on Bourne’s behalf. He said the former sergeant did not know why he committed the offences.

He said: “The offences are serious and the (victim impact) statement makes for devastating reading and that is accepted.

"He is deeply ashamed for what he did and is highly motivated to amend his behaviour.”

Judge Wynn Morgan said: “Against the sheer awfulness of the offences there is the fact you served with some distinction in the armed forces and people have spoken of a different person. With your guilty pleas there is a degree of remorse and contrition and I take all that into account.”

The 69 days Bourne has already spent in prison will be deducted from the length of time he will serve.

He will have to serve at least two-thirds of the sentence in line with guidelines in force at the time of the offences.