A man who treated two young girls as sexual objects, "robbing them of their childhoods" after repeatedly raping them in Norfolk two decades ago, has been jailed for 20 years.

Quinto Gomes, 65, a Portuguese national, raped and sexually assaulted two teenage victims multiple times as part of "serious sexual offending" conducted while he was living in Norfolk more than 20 years ago.

Norwich Crown Court heard police received reports of offences from the women, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, in 2018 relating to 2000 and 2001 when Gomes had been in Dereham.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham signDereham sign (Image: Newsquest)Stephen Mather, prosecuting, said the first victim, who was over 16 at the time, was unable to remember how many times she was raped by Gomes and started to drink so much she "couldn't remember".

In terms of the other victim, who was under 16, Mr Mather said Gomes "took her virginity" and repeatedly touched her and raped her.

Gomes, formerly of Cluny, France, appeared in court on Friday after being found guilty of six offences of rape, one count of indecent assault and another of indecency with a child following a trial last year.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Imposing the 20 year-sentence Recorder Michael Turner said: "At no point have you ever accepted responsibility for these offences which are truly appalling and which, as one of the victims said, robbed them of their childhood".

He said Gomes regarded the victims as "sexual objects" to be "abused by you on a regular basis"

Recorder Turner said his sexual violence towards the victims has "caused each of them severe and ongoing psychological harm".

Before Gomes was sentenced, the court heard statements from both victims, including one who read hers out in person.

She told Gomes she has had to "live with the pain of what happened" without any support and has "carried a great burden" which has caused her to drink excessively and even contemplate suicide.

The victim has had difficulty trusting people and has a "constant fear" her children might be abused as she was.

Mr Mather read out a statement on behalf of the other victim who said "it took a lot of courage to come forward", has been "robbed of a childhood" and has had a "life-long feeling of shame and embarrassment".

Simon Gladwell, mitigating, said Gomes, who underwent heart surgery in 2004, was 65 and of good character prior to these offences with no offending since.

Gomes was also put on the sex offenders' register.