A TEENAGER from north-east Essex was jailed for eight years today for committing a number of sex offences on New Year's Eve.

Roddy Ashworth

A TEENAGER from north-east Essex was jailed for eight years today for committing a number of sex offences on New Year's Eve.

Lewis McKinney raped a 49-year-old woman and assaulted a 60-year-old woman inside a house in Brightlingsea during the evening of December 31 last year.

The 18-year-old unemployed man from Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of common assault when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court in March.

At the same court today he was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Investigating Officer, DI Jim Caulfield, said: “Lewis McKinney has brought long-term distress and anguish to his victims and their families.

“It is rare for such a vicious attack of this kind to occur anywhere in Essex.

“We still do not know why he set out to attack these two women as he refuses to tell us.

“He is a dangerous offender who deserves to be locked up for a long time.

“The trauma that the victims have suffered at his hands knows no bounds.

“I must pay tribute to them for having the courage to support our prosecution.

“The quality of their evidence and the excellent investigative work left the defendant no option other than to plead guilty to this serious and heinous crime.

“Lewis McKinney has at least spared both women from going through even further distress had they been forced to relive events in the witness box.

“On behalf of Essex Police, I hope to reassure the community that no stone will be left unturned in our pursuit of dangerous criminals.

“I hope today brings some closure to the victims and that they are able to move on with their lives.”