A CHILD rapist from Highowrth has been jailed for 14 years. 

Phillip Lewis, 41, of The Cullerns, Highworth, groomed his female victim almost two decades ago in west Oxfordshire. 

He was found guilty by a jury at Oxford Crown Court in October of rape of a child, three counts of sexual assault of a child, assaulting a child by penetration and engaging in a sexual activity in the presence of a child in a trial

Outlining the case at the start of the trial last week prosecutor Claire Robinson told jurors the sexual abuse all took place in the early 2000s in west Oxfordshire, the Adver's sister paper the Oxford Mail reported.

Ms Robinson told jurors Lewis would molest the girl on multiple occasions and "simulate intercourse" with her. 

She said Lewis would perform a sex act in front of the child on numerous occasions and that he orally raped her.

During the trial jurors watched a recorded police interview given by the interview. She told officers that she was abused by Lewis on multiple occasions.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she felt disgusting and thought if she spoke out she would be told off. 

Welcoming the 14 year sentence, Det Con Phillipa Metcalfe of Thames Valley Police said: “The nature of Lewis’s offending was horrendous, and the victim has shown tremendous bravery and resilience in coming forward and reporting this.

“Lewis will now serve a lengthy prison sentence as a result, and I would encourage anybody who has been a victim of offence sexual offence to please come forward and report it to the police.

“You will be listened to and will be supported by experienced officers and staff.”

Lewis must register as a sex offender for life.