A PAEDOPHILE was jailed for six years after admitting sexual offences against three teenage girls.

A PAEDOPHILE was jailed for six years after admitting sex offences against three teenage girls.

Steven Baxter, of St Dominic Road, Colchester, was imprisoned after pleading guilty to charges of rape and unlawful sexual activity with girls under 16.

The 21-year-old, who appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, was also given an extended licence period of seven years, because the judge deemed him to be a danger to the public. He will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Detective Superintendent Liam Osborne, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Baxter took advantage of his victims’ vulnerabilities and befriended them before committing these crimes against them.

“I am pleased he admitted these offences to save these girls the trauma of having to relive the events in a court room.

“I would like to pay tribute to them for the courage they have shown throughout the investigation because without their determination we would not have been able to secure these convictions.

“I would also like to thank Colchester Women’s Aid for their support throughout this case.”

The offences occurred between February 2007 and June 2009.