“Evil” Mark Hoddinott has been jailed for 13 years after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault against three young girls.

Recorder Paul Garlick QC told the 51-year-old from Frome his “heinous” actions had resulted in severe psychological trauma for his victims.

Hoddinott, of Portland Place, Frome, was found guilty of raping and attempting to rape a girl under 13 and sexually assaulting another.

A jury also found him guilty of five charges of intentionally touching a girl under 13. The court also heard how he showed a child pornographic images.

The judge slammed Hoddinott for putting his ‘vulnerable’ victims through the trauma of giving evidence at a trial.

He said: “From the time you committed your first serious sex offence you can no longer be regarded as a man of good character and I cannot give you credit.

“You caused them to revisit the horrors you perpetuated on them over the years. All of these offences involved the most serious breach of trust.

“I hope and trust they will appreciate the sentence and I hope it does not diminish the disgust society must have on your thoroughly evil conduct.”

Avon & Somerset Police said the charges relate to offences in the eighties and since 2000. He was found guilty at the end of a jury trial yesterday (Wednesday, August 16).

Hoddinott was sentenced to 13 years for attempted rape, seven years for assault by penetration, five years for two counts of sexual assault against a child, 11 years for rape and four years for the sexual assault charges, 18 months for gross indecency, and two years for causing a child to look at the pornographic image.

The judge told Hoddinott if he was to sentence him for the charges consecutively, he would be behind bars “for decades”. He will serve the sentences concurrently.

Recorder Garlick told him: “I will take into account the fact you are now 51 and that you have been diagnosed with HIV, but in my judgement that is not a mitigating factor in this case.

“You will find it difficult in prison and while the offences of serious sex abuse where separate and individually heinous, I am obliged to moderate the totality of your sentence.”

Hoddinott must sign the sex offenders’ register for life, is the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and was given a restraining order to prevent him from contacting his victims.

The judge told him: “You will not be released until the parole board considers it is appropriate.”