A Leamington fireman, who raped and sexually abused an 11-year-old girl, has been jailed for six years by a Judge at Warwick Crown Court.

Michael Williams, a sub officer and temporary station officer with the Warwickshire Fire Service, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Williams (45), of Broadway, Cubbington, pleaded guilty to two charges of raping the young girl last year.

He also admitted two charges of sexually assaulting the girl, one of assaulting her by penetration, one of causing or inciting her to take part in sexual activity with him and one of indecently assaulting her. Prosecutor Andrew Smith said Williams was arrested after his offences came to light in January.

His victim, who had been frightened to report the matter any earlier, had told a friend about Williams abusing her, and it was reported to her parents.

The police were then contacted and when officers interviewed the girl, she revealed that the first incident had taken place when Williams had pulled her into a shed.

Holding her hands and standing on her feet so she could not move away from him and ignoring her protests, Williams touched her intimately through her underwear.

Sometimes when Williams saw the girl when her parents were not around 'some of the features of the first incident were repeated,' including standing on her feet as he pulled her trousers down and sexually abused her.

On other occasions he performed oral sex on her and there were two incidents when he raped her, as well as one when he forced her to masturbate him.

Mr Smith said: "On other occasions her breasts were touched over her clothing. "On further occasions, the defendant invited her to touch him. She refused, but he would take hold of her hand and force her to touch him."

When he was arrested on January 10, Williams admitted abusing the girl, " expressing his sorrow and shame for what he had done,' added Mr Smith.

Nick Devine, defending, pointed out that Williams, who was of previous good character, had admitted the two rapes before his young victim had told the police about them.

"He is a destroyed individual," Mr Devine told the court: "He had worked hard to achieve a position of respect in the fire service. Now he is, of course, facing a substantial sentence of imprisonment.

"His remorse is profound and genuine."