RAPIST Lewyn Rudge has been handed a 15-year prison sentence for the “disgraceful sexual abuse” of two teenage girls.

The 26-year-old was given an extended jail term, with an extra four years on licence, yesterday after being branded “dangerous” by a judge in Oxford Crown Court.

Rudge, of Valentia Road, Headington, was convicted after a trial on four counts of rape and two counts of causing actual bodily harm.

His victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were just teenagers when he started abusing them.

All Rudge’s offences were committed between August 2008 and November 2012.

During the trial prosecutor Graham Smith said Rudge exhibited “volatile and violent” behaviour that culminated in numerous rapes and assaults.

Passing sentence, Judge Gordon Risius told Rudge: “Your disgraceful sexual abuse of the first girl came to the attention of police only because you went on to subject the second girl to much the same abusive treatment.

“You started assaulting her and abusing her sexually.

“A number of witnesses said they noticed marks of violence on her.

“Both young women, as they are now, made victim personal statements.

“They make sad and disturbing reading because your behaviour has had a dramatic effect on both their lives.

“One young woman described her life as in tatters.

“There are also references to leaving Oxford so as to be well away from you.”

The court heard the pre-sentence report called Rudge “dangerous”, an assessment Judge Risius agreed with given the extent and nature of his behaviour towards the two victims.

He added: “Over two lengthy periods you took callous sexual and violent advantage of two girls who trusted you.

“Both complainants showed considerable courage in agreeing to give evidence against you.”

Nigel Daly, defending, said his client had no relevant previous convictions and had changed since the offences were committed.

He said: “This is still a young man who has shown over the past couple of years that he has put this kind of behaviour behind him.”

Rudge’s sentence is made up of a 15-year normal sentence, two thirds of which he will spend in custody, plus an extra four years on licence.

He will also have to pay a £120 victims’ surcharge after release and two restraining orders were made banning contact with his victims.

After the hearing there was an altercation outside the courtroom involving police and members of the public. A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said inquires into the incident were on-going.

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