A RAPIST has been jailed for 26 years for despicable crimes relating to women and children spanning three decades.

Christopher Welch, aged 66 of Westlands, Wrafton in Braunton, was convicted at Exeter Crown Court on February 25 of four counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and one count of indecent assault against a woman.

Welch was also convicted of four counts of indecent assault against children, two counts of indecency with a child, and one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration. He was also found guilty of indecent assault against another woman.

He appeared before court again on Thursday, April 2, where he was handed a 26-year sentence, with three years on licence. As part of the sentence, Welch has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court heard how the offences were committed against three children and two women on multiple occasions in the 80s, 90s and 00s in Devon.

Police praised the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

Their powerful victim personal statements were read out at court, with one victim stating: “The impact this man has had is irreversible and I carry the weight of what he did to me every day in the life not lived… Take as many years from him as he did from me.

“I thank the police that gathered the case, my support worker, the court, the jury and the judge, for their work and in finding what I believe is a just outcome, albeit bittersweet.”

Detective Constable Kerry Mitchell said: “Welch is a vile human being and a dangerous sexual predator and I welcome today’s sentence.

“All of the victims showed immense courage in coming forward and telling someone about the offences.

“I hope that they, and the wider public, are reassured that Welch is now behind bars.

“If anyone has been victim of child sex abuse, whether recently or in the past, there are specialist units within Devon and Cornwall Police who will listen and investigate thoroughly.”

If you have been affected by this article there is support available.

You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.

You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.

Advice and support can also be found at: National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999; Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626.

For more information please visit: dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault.

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger from sexual abuse or exploitation call 999 now. If it’s not an emergency please use the “Report” button on our website devon-cornwall.police.uk or call 101. You can report child sexual abuse anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online crimestoppers-uk.org.