Pregnancy teen rape man jailed

A Swansea Valley man has admitted raping a 15-year-old girl in an attack that left her pregnant.

Mark Ward was jailed for eight years on Wednesday after changing his plea just before he was due to stand trial.

The 33-year-old of Alltwen, Pontardawe, raped the teenager in the spring of 2005, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Judge Michael Burr said although by pleading guilty Ward had spared the girl from giving evidence, only a long prison sentence could be justified.

Ward had denied the charge until a jury was about to be sworn in.

His barrister, Catherine Richards, asked for the plea to be taken again and said he fully accepted his guilt.