A "habitual sexual risk to children" is now behind bars following the sentencing of a child rapist from Redruth.

Paul Cook, 23, was found guilty of one count of rape, three counts of sexual activity with a child and five counts of possession of indecent images of children on his phone.

He has now been sentenced at Truro Crown Court to seven years in prison and has had five years extended to his licence.

Prosecuting barrister Nigel Wraith said that Cook had had sex with two 15-year-old girls - one of whom he had orally raped.

The first victim had met Cook through a friend and he had been "well aware of her age." She went to the police in May 2016 after her relative confronted Cook.

The second victim was also said to have met Cook through friends and reported him to police in August 2016.

Mr Wraith said that the first victim had had sex with Cook on several occasions. The second victim had also had sex with Cook and he had allegedly forced himself onto the girl, resulting in the oral rape charge.

Cook denied that any sexual activity took place with the girls and claimed that he knew nothing of the indecent images on his phone. However, a jury found Cook guilty of the charges back in August, for which he has now been sentenced.

DC Kelly Browning, the lead officer on the case, said: “I would like to thank the two victims and commend them on their bravery for coming forward.

“Cook has forced them to go through the trauma of giving evidence in court when he knows that he has been guilty all along.

“Cook receiving a custodial sentence has removed a habitual sexual risk to children from the streets of Cornwall. We hope this verdict brings reassurance that justice has been done.”