A CHILD rapist has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes he committed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Julian Bird had stood trial at Worcester Crown Court in September 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.

The jury gave a unanimous verdict and the 44-year-old was convicted 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.

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

He said: “You show no remorse. You still maintain your innocence, despite overwhelming evidence.”

Case officer Detective Constable Michelle Cook said she was pleased with the result and hoped it would encourage others who were victims of sexual abuse to step forward and report the crime.

She said: “This is a very satisfactory result, which I hope provides some comfort to Bird’s victims.

“I also hope this encourages any victims of sexual abuse to have faith that all will be done to investigate complaints and bring any offenders to justice.”