POLICE are disappointed with a 'lenient' sentence given to a convicted paedophile from Morecambe this week.

James Kelly was jailed for five years for rape and other serious sex offences committed when he was 13.

But one investigating officer, DC Christine Sudell of Lancaster police's Family Protection department, criticised the decision.

She said: "We think it's lenient for what are very serious offences. The judge took into account that he was 13 at the time and had pleaded guilty to indecent assault. But he didn't plead guilty to other offences and the woman had to endure a very traumatic experience which could have been avoided."

James Kelly, now 27, was convicted in January but the judge waited for a psychiatrist's report before he sentenced him.

Kelly's victim was eight and the prosecution alleged he held a knife to her throat. The victim, now in her 20s, told the court at the trial in January that Kelly had systematically raped her twice a week while she stayed with his family. Her mother had moved to the resort looking for work.

He did admit to six charges of indecent assault against her and pleaded guilty to three similar offences, involving a girl of ten, more recently.

Richard Haworth, prosecuting, said in the case involving the ten year old, he followed the victim to and from school and to out-of-school activities. When police searched his bedroom they found photographs and a diary of daily sightings of the girl. Kelly admitted he was obsessed with the child.

Paul Richardson, defending, said Kelly realised he needed help and acknowledged he had a serious problem. Kelly will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

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