A SEX attacker who raped three young girls has been jailed for 18 years.

Raymond Mitchell, aged 62, was found guilty of 14 counts of rape at Bolton Crown Court.

The historical abuse dates back to 1973 when Mitchell raped a nine-year-old girl.

Of the offences, 12 relate to one victim, who was aged between 12 and 16, when she was raped during the late 1990s.

The abuse stopped when she threatened him with a kitchen knife and said she would tell of what he had done to her if it happened again.

He also raped a 10-year-old between 1999 and 2000.

The abuse came to light after the girls, who are known to each other, had a chance conversation and realised they had suffered at the hands of Mitchell.

Mitchell, of Dudley Avenue, Whitefield, was jailed last week.

After the case, one of his victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: “It all happened when I was very young and it laid quiet for many years.

“It was something I wanted to forget and put behind me.

“To know that justice has been done and that he is behind bars is a massive relief. We can all go on with our lives.

“I know now that it’s no longer something that will be in the back of my head. But I am still feeling the effects and on anti depressants and have suffered from weight loss.”