A MAN from Worcestershire has been sentenced to 15 years for rape.

Julian James Bird stood trial at Worcester Crown Court in September last year when he was found guilty of six counts of rape and four of indecent assault on two children. The offences took place between 1977 and 1989.

A jury today gave a unanimous verdict and the 44-year-old of Elgar Avenue, Malvern was sentenced for five counts of rape of a child between the ages of five and 16 and four counts of indecent assault on a child between the ages of five and seven. He was also convicted of rape of a seven-year-old.

Recorder Gareth Evans sentenced Bird, of Elgar Avenue, to a total of 15 years with a lifetime registration on the sex offenders register upon his release.

For more details, see tomorrow's Worcester News...