Coventry step-dad blamed "sexsomnia" for the sickening abuse of young girl

But a jury did not believe his story and he was jailed for 16 years by a judge at Warwick Crown Court

Young children will be protected “for many, many years” from a man who blamed the sexual abuse and rape of his step-daughter on a condition called sexsomnia.

But the Coventry man’s far-fetched explanation for the months of abuse to which he subjected his 11-year-old victim was rejected by a jury at Warwick Crown Court.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the girl, had denied two charges of attempting to rape a child under the age of 13 and three of raping her.

But the perverted step-dad, who is in his 30s, was found guilty of those charges, and of further offences of sexual assault, after a trial last month.

Following an adjournment for a pre-sentence report, he was jailed for 16 years, followed by a five-year extension to the time he will spend on licence.

Sally Hancox, defending, said people who had supported the defendant during the trial, including his parents, would continue to support him while he served his sentence.

She conceded that “the offending the jury found to have taken place,” which he continues to deny, put it in the highest category of seriousness in the sentencing guidelines.

Asking the judge not to pass an extended sentence, she pointed out there had been “no suggestion of impropriety” towards any other child.

But jailing him, Judge Lockhart said: “You are a man with a huge sex drive.

“I am asked to shrink back from making a finding of dangerousness in your case. I am unable to do so.

“It is clear you are a dangerous offender. You will continue to pose a risk to the public.”