A HALESOWEN man who carried out a string of serious sex attacks on schoolgirls over a nine year period has been locked up for fourteen-and-a-half years.

Judge Simon Ward told Alfred Tomkins he would also have to be monitored for a further eighteen months on his release from custody to ensure he no longer posed a risk.

He told the 47-year-old it was clear he had a "strong sexual urge to abuse young female children" adding, "You are a dangerous offender."

The judge said Tomkins clearly posed a significant risk to members of the public - "particularly children" - as he ruled he would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Graham Russell, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court the offences came to light when one of his victims revealed to her schoolteacher what had happened as she stressed she was "scared."

Tomkins, who told his victims not to tell anyone about his actions, was arrested and he immediately accepted his guilt as he described what he had done as "bad, wrong and sick."

Tomkins, of Parkside Road, admitted charges involving rape and sexual activity with a child and he was full of remorse, said Jonathan Rosen, defending.

He told the court Tomkins was "wracked with guilt" adding that it was opportunistic offending and he remained "unsure" of the reasons behind his offending.

Mr Rosen added: "He does not want to commit offences of this nature again. When the police came to his front door he immediately made full admissions."

Mr Russell said that in a victim impact statement one of the girls said he had used alcohol and cannabis to try and get over what had taken place and she continued to suffer from sleepless nights.

A second victim told police officers she suffered from panic attacks and she was still seeking counselling to help get her life back on track.