A PAEDOPHILE who groomed, corrupted and sexually abused young and vulnerable girls in Milverton has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

A packed public gallery heard Martyn Coles, 55, of Creedwell Orchard, Milverton, will serve 15 years before he will even be considered for parole and will remain under licence for the rest of his life.

He was allowed one year and 22 days for the time he has spent on remand in custody, after he was convicted at Taunton Crown Court last month of offences including rape, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and assault, following a two week trial.

He refused to attend the court to hear Judge Graham Hume Jones describe how, between 2000 and 2005, Coles "indulged his sexual fantasy and satisfied his inadequacies by exploiting and corrupting a number of young girls aged between 11 and 15, 13 of whom gave evidence."

He said many were particularly vulnerable because of unhappy backgrounds and had to give evidence in public on how he took advantage of the natural rebelliousness of young people and their attempts to develop their independence.

Coles encouraged them by providing cigarettes, alcohol and drugs - on a number of occasions, in excess - and provided an open house. He was prepared to drive them around the area and took advantage of their love of animals, particularly dogs and horses.

He identified girls for grooming to indulge in sexual activity and he was guilty of breach of trust in cases where parents knew him, and knew their daughters were visiting him.

The judge said he was satisfied Coles posed a significant risk and must be classified as dangerous.

He added he was most concerned by what he had seen and heard of Coles during the trial and by his behaviour since he was convicted - in particular his response to a probation officer who attempted to prepare a pre-sentence report.

He said: "I am told the defendant made it very clear that he was not going to co-operate with probation or the police and he refuses to sign the Sex Offenders Register papers."

"The defendant has indulged in a persistent course of conduct to corrupt these young girls. He's a danger to any young girl who has anything to do with him. He has not shown any remorse or contrition and at his trial he has shown total defiance and opposition to any co-operation with the authorities."

Alan Large, defending, said Coles did not accept responsibility for any of the offences on which he was convicted. By the time his sentence was served, he would be "an elderly man indeed."

James Patrick, prosecuting, said two of the victims had given personal impact statements. One girl said she had been prescribed anti-depressants and had continued to use alcohol and drugs "to try and block out what happened at his hands"  while another said she felt dirty and scraped herself clean until she bled. She was now wary of men, especially older men.

Other victims were trying to move on with their lives and not providing impact statements, he added.

The judge made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order prohibiting Coles from being in contact with people under 16 indefinitely, and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

He said the investigation had taken a remarkable amount of work and understanding, and read out a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service lawyer in charge of the case praising the work of Det Con Mark Fudge who had gone beyond the call of duty and managed to persuade reluctant witnesses to give evidence.

The Judge recommended DC Fudge to be awarded a commendation for his work.

After the case, DC Fudge said he was happy with the sentence and the people of Milverton could now go about their lives without fearing what their children were up to.

He said: "It was an upsetting case for all concerned, particularly because of the children's ages, and everyone I have spoken to have been very helpful."