Babysitter jailed for raping girl

Watts has been banned from having contact with children

A Teesside man has been jailed for six years after admitting repeatedly raping a five-year-old girl he babysat for.

Teesside Crown Court heard Steven Watts, 42, was willing to volunteer for surgical or chemical castration so he would never repeat his behaviour.

The judge said Watts, of Sacriston Close, Billingham, posed a high risk to young girls in the future.

The former colour sergeant in the Army Cadet Corps was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

He was also banned from recreation centres and from having contact with children.

Watts pleaded guilty last year to five counts of rape.

Sentencing him, Judge George Moorhouse said: "I am firmly of the opinion that you pose a significantly high risk of harm to female children in the future.

"Because you fall into the dangerous category I will be imposing a sentence which reflects that."

Det Con Simon Bage from Cleveland Police said: "The sentence handed out today reflects the seriousness of the offence and although Watt will now face six years imprisonment, he will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

"The Child Abuse Investigation Unit will apprehend and deal with - robustly and professionally - members of our society who prey on and abuse children, ensuring they are brought to justice."