Black Country rapist in vile attacks on young girl is jailed

Phillip Hollis, of Round Hill, Sedgley, was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court after admitting to four charges of rape and a fifth charge of exposure.

The sex offences were committed on a girl under 13 years of age. The court heard how Hollis, aged 47, carried out a number of the attacks after smoking cannabis. The assaults came to light after the child's school was alerted by comments that were made by the girl.

Mr Nigel Stelling, prosecuting, said: "She told police he exposed himself to her and that she looked away. He then asked if she wanted to have sex."

After the school raised concerns the police were called.

Mr Stelling said the defendant was arrested, questioned and denied that he had any such contact with the victim. He said Hollis later made an admission.

He added: "The victim was to tell officers that the act of intercourse followed him smoking cannabis."

Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending,

said: "He has taken responsibility for what he has done.

"He is sorry and has shown deep remorse. The reality he finds himself in now is that society will label him as a paedophile and he has to live with that.

"He's 47 with no previous convictions and now finds himself rock bottom and about to go into prison. He leaves behind him a path of destruction."

Judge Martin Walsh jailed Hollis for 10 years and ordered him to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

The victim's family said they were 'pleased' with the length of the jail term.