Man jailed for rape of girl and other sex offences

Joshua Newell was jailed for three and a half years on Friday

A man has been jailed for the rape of a young girl and other sex offences.

Joshua Newell, 33, of Drakes Broughton, Worcestershire, was found guilty at a trial in February of raping a girl under the age of 16 between 2005 and 2007.

At Worcester Crown Court on Friday, Newell was sentenced to three years and six months' imprisonment.

He had also been convicted of the indecent assault of a girl under the age of 14 between 2003 and 2004, and sexual assault between 2007 and 2008.

Newell had pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one of possessing extreme pornography. Those offences took place between 2016 and 2022.

In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Det Con Ian Jones from West Mercia Police praised the courage shown by Newell's victim in coming forward.

He added: "We hope this successful prosecution shows we always take people who think they are a victim of sexual offences seriously, no matter how long ago they may have taken place and will do our utmost to secure a prosecution and conviction against those perpetrating these crimes."