A man who raped and sexually assaulted five girls when he was a teenager has been jailed for 12 years.
Aiden Phipps knew all of the girls with his youngest victim being just 12 years old. He raped her in a park after persuading her to meet him following an exchange of messages on Snapchat.
On another occasion, he dragged a 17-year-old girl to an abandoned area and raped her.
Phipps also raped a 16-year-old girl and sexually assaulted two other girls, aged 15 and 17.
The 18-year-old, formerly of south Derbyshire but now of Huthwaite Road, Sutton in Ashfield, was subsequently charged with a number of offences including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and assault by penetration of a girl under 13.
He admitted the offences and appeared at Derby Crown Court on 23 August when he was jailed for 12 years and six months with the judge ordering him to serve at least nine years and six months in prison. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable Stephanie Wilks and Detective Constable Kelly Edwards, who led the investigation, said: “Phipps is clearly a very dangerous sexual predator who attacked these young girls knowing not only their ages but also that they didn’t want to engage in any sexual activity with him.
“The fact he committed offences whilst on bail shows he has no regard for the law and his persistent and repeated offending would no doubt have continued were he not in prison.
“We’d like to acknowledge the courage shown by all the girls involved. Their bravery and dignity throughout has been exemplary and we’re really grateful for all their support in helping to get this case to court.
“Phipps is now quite rightly behind bars so we hope that this will allow all of them the opportunity to begin to look to the future.
“If you or anyone you know have suffered any form of sexual assault or rape, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Please come and talk to us. We have specially trained officers waiting to listen to you without judgement and to support you throughout.”
