A PAEDOPHILE was jailed for 10 years after raping a schoolgirl.

Christopher Bell, 39, from Ellesmere Port, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, September 26.

After denying the offences, his trial was due to start the day before but he had pleaded guilty at the last minute.

Prosecuting, Mark Connor said: “The victim was a happy young girl from a loving home when Bell raped her.

“He would call her his girlfriend and say he was allowed to do it.”

The victim eventually broke down and confessed to her GP.

When invited to mitigate in court, defending barrister Patrick Thomson simply said: “The defendant’s actions are indefensible.”

The Recorder of Chester, Judge Elgan Edwards, sentenced Bell to 10 years imprisonment and imposed a lifetime ban on working with children.

DC Jessica Barlow of Cheshire Police said: “This was a very detailed investigation by the public protection unit and the sentence reflects the very serious nature of this man’s offending.

“Bell is a very calculating and manipulative individual who has a definite sexual interest in children, and whose low morality has resulted in such horrendous offending.

“The witnesses in this case should be commended. Their strength and character have provided the opportunity for justice and have removed an extremely dangerous paedophile from society.”