A KNOWN sex offender has been jailed for 15 years for raping a three-year-old girl.

David Brant had a history of sex offences, prosecutor Michael Conry told Worcester Crown Court, but on 13 occasions had failed to tell the authorities where he was living.

He was jailed for 15 years for the attack on the girl in Malvern at Worcester Crown Court.

told by Judge Robert Juckes QC that he would have to serve nine and a half years before he could be released.

The judge added that Brant, pictured left, who must sign the sex offenders register for life, would be on licence for 15 years and in danger of recall when he is freed.

Defence counsel Andrew Hobson said Brant had led a shiftless and homeless life because of his alcoholism. He had moved several times in the West Midlands and had not deliberately targeted the Malvern family.

He had made an early guilty plea to a charge of sexual assault on the three-year-old. As a sex offender, he also admitted failing to notify the authorities of his change of address.

Mr Conry said it was the 13th time that Brant had failed to notify a new address. It was midday on March 3 when he turned up at the house in Malvern and was allowed in by a mother of three children. During the short time he was alone with the young girl he carried out the assault, later claiming she had been injured when he carried her downstairs.

The youngster was examined in hospital when the extent of her injury was revealed. But it had a profound psychological effect, Mr Conry, said making her violent towards her parents.

Mr Conry said Brant and was known as Pisshead Dave because of his drinking.had many convictions for dishonesty and in 2005 was jailed for 12 months for a sex assault on a 14-year-old girl walking home from a friends at night. When she realised she was being followed, she nipped into a telephone kiosk to contact police but Brant had assaulted her before they arrived.

Brant, who had been banned from working with children for life, was deeply ashamed of his actions, said Mr Hobson. Homelessness and alcohol had led to his offending but since he had been in prison on remand he was no longer craving for a drink.

Judge Juckes said there was no criticism of the mother for letting Brant into the house. She was merely extending the hand of friendship to a man she thought knew her husband. By committing such a “horrible” crime and his lust overcoming his inhibitions, Brant showed he was still a danger to children.