A "DANGEROUS" rapist from Droitwich has been sentenced to more than 20 years in jail and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Adam Essex, 41, was handed the 26-year sentence at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, November 28, after being previously found guilty of eight serious sexual offences.

The offences, which took place between August 2021 and April 2022, included two counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration, controlling and coercive behaviour with the threat of violence and witness intimidation. 

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on all eight charges.

The victim initially reported the crimes in March 2022 and the early investigation, led by DC Rachael Lynch from Worcester Police Station, involved teams from patrol and CID, resulting in Essex being arrested on three separate occasions as further offences came to light. 

He was charged and remanded with controlling and coercive behaviour on April 11 2022. Following this charge, an extensive action plan was put in place to move the case forward to court. 

DC Mark Wilson was asked to assist DC Lynch, finally leading to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charging Essex with eight serious sexual offences.

Detective inspector Sharon Wallace-Rathmell said: “This was an extremely challenging investigation and I’d like to congratulate DCs Lynch and Wilson, and the wider teams, for the dedication and commitment they have shown throughout, culminating in a long sentence for a dangerous sex offender.

"Officers who work in the field of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) can find themselves working on complex and multi-layered cases which require resilience and perseverance.

"They are skilled and professional officers working with compassion and dedication to support victims and prosecute offenders and I thank them for their work.”

Essex will remain on the sex offenders register for life and will remain on licence for four years upon release from prison.