A former prison officer has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of raping a child.

Steven Holt, 37, who formerly worked at Huntercombe Young Offenders' Institution, near Wallingford, and had served in the army, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court, on May 20.

Judge Anthony King said: "It doesn't need me to spell out the seriousness of these offences and the damage that you have caused."

The court heard that Holt, formerly of The Grove, Abingdon, and now of Middleton, Manchester, committed the offences on a girl under the age of 16 on various dates in 2000 and 2001.

In mitigation, Samuel Parish, defending, said: "Any prison sentence passed will be worth double to Mr Holt because of the line of his occupation. He is in a desperate situation."

The judge jailed Holt for 10 years on charges involving eight sexual offences, including four counts of rape, with a further five years under supervision after his release.

He was also ordered to inform police of any change of name or address that might occur after his release from prison.