A MAN who tried to intimidate witnesses from his prison cell when he was on remand charged with rape has been jailed for 18-and-a-half years.

Rhyan Thomas, who was eventually convicted of sex with two underage girls, arranged for windows to be smashed and tried to pay off one of the victims.

The 28-year-old's younger sister Shakkia Prince-Thomas, 21, was also jailed for a year for her role in trying to nobble witnesses and another of his girlfriends, Jazmin Fry, 21, was put on a suspended sentence for trying to help him avoid justice.

Kerry Barker, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Thursday how the first victim, who is now 19, went to the police in October last year and said Thomas started having sex with her when she was 15, but turned nasty when she tried to end the relationship.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons said he was abusive to her saying she could never leave him. On one occasion he urinated on her and other times was so threatening when he grabbed hold of her that she wet herself.

After he was remanded in custody she received a phone call from a friend, who had been contacted by Fry, offering her £10,000 to drop the charges.

Another girl who was to be a witness in the case had a brick thrown through her grandmother's window, which was organised by Prince-Thomas.

In a case of mistaken identity a brick was also hurled through the window of her mother's neighbour, missing a baby in a crib by inches.

Before his arrest Thomas was in another relationship with a young girl who claimed she was sleeping with him when she was 15, though he did not know her age.

When she tried to break up with him he threatened to smash her windows and damage her car. The court heard it happened later.

Mr Barker said Thomas was also having sex with a third girl, who he met on Facebook, between 2012 when she was 13 and 2015.

After she had reported it to the police she received a phone call which threatened her if she did not drop the charges. Following the call she contacted the police and told them what had happened and that she didn't want to go ahead with the complaint.

Thomas, of Beech Road, admitted sexual activity with two girls, harassment, controlling or coercive behaviour, conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to pervert the court of justice.

He denied two counts of rape, sexual activity with a child and conspiracy to commit criminal damage and formal not guilty verdicts were recorded.

Prince-Thomas, of Beech Avenue, admitted conspiracy to commit criminal damage and Fry, of Ermin Street, admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Chris Smyth, defending Thomas, said that the sex offences were consensual and his client planned to change his ways when he was released.

Emma Handslip, for Price-Thomas, said she was young for her age, naive, remorseful and found herself in a difficult position with her family.

Ellen McAnaw, for Fry, said her client was also immature, had always been in work since leaving school and had ended her relationship with Thomas.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC told Thomas "It is quite clear that the public needs protecting from you."

Thomas will not be able to apply for parole until he has served 11 years and two months and he will be on licence for an extra two years.

The judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order and told him he must register as a sex offender for life as well as abide by restraining orders.

Fry was give a one-year jail term suspended for 18 months with 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

An NSPCC spokesman for South West England said: “This was an absolutely appalling case of sexual, physical and emotional child abuse, and this lengthy prison sentence reflects that.

“Not only did violent and controlling Thomas groom and have sex with two underage girls, but he subjected them to a campaign of threats, bribery and violence to save his own skin – both through his own actions and those of others close to him.

“His victims must be praised for their enormous bravery in speaking out, particularly in the face of such intimidation. Thanks to their actions, Thomas is now behind bars where he cannot hurt anyone else.

“Abuse can ruin childhoods and it’s vital children who have been affected get the support they need rather than suffer in silence, as sadly so many do.”

ChildLine is available for free confidential advice, 24/7, on 0800 1111, while adults concerned about the welfare of a young person can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.