Man jailed for sex offences against two children

A man has been jailed for 14 years for sexual offences against two children.

Michael Albery, of Rodney Way, Waterlooville, was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court on 14 September of raping a girl under the age of 13.

The 36-year-old was also convicted of two counts of causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Albery, who denied the offences, was found guilty by a jury after a seven-day trial and was sentenced at the same court on 30 October.

The offences were committed against two victims in Waterlooville between 2021 and 2023, Hampshire police said.

After his release, he will spend a further year on extended licence and has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Simon Hitchcock, from the Eastern Child Abuse Investigations Team, said he was pleased to see Albery jailed for the "horrific offences" he committed.

"Whilst no sentence will ever return the victims to the lives they led before encountering this predator, I hope that knowing he is behind bars helps them, and their families, to begin to rebuild," he said.

"I would like to thank the young victims and their families for their support throughout this investigation, and to commend them for their bravery, which has been key to us securing this result."

Hitchcock encouraged anyone affected by child sexual abuse to report it to police.