AN 'EXTREMELY dangerous' paedophile has been jailed for 19 years after being found guilty raping a young girl.

Louis Cooper, also known as Kodie Cooper, aged 22, of Churchill Road in Shepton Mallet, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Wednesday, October 9.

Cooper was found guilty of one count of rape of a child under the age of 13, and other offences including attempting sexual communications with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and making indecent photographs of children.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the victim of the rape was 'a very young girl'.

Investigating officer DC Jon Hooper said: “Louis Cooper is without doubt an extremely dangerous offender who poses a significant risk to members of the public, especially children.

“The offences he committed are among the most horrific I’ve had to investigate and in court the judge said it was hard to convey the horror of what he’d done.

“We can only hope the very young victim will not suffer any long-term damage as a result of abuse she suffered.

“If Cooper had not been stopped, he would inevitably have gone on to commit further offences.”

Cooper was sentenced to an extended sentence of 22 years consisting of 19 years imprisonment plus three years extended licence.