POLICE have commended the "incredible bravery" of a victim after an 18-year-old man was jailed for offences including the rape of a child.

Michael Carlisle, of Swisspine Gardens, St Helens was jailed for nine years after being convicted of robbery and rape of a girl under 13.

Carlisle was 17 when he pressured the girl, who was below the age of 13, into sex despite her repeatedly telling him no.

And while on bail he was part of an armed gang who robbed a laughing gas delivery driver, who was stabbed in the hand with scissors and left with a broken cheekbone and missing teeth.

Carlisle had pleaded guilty to robbery, rape of a child under 13 and the attempted rape of a child under 13 at Liverpool Crown Court.

Following Carlisle's sentencing, Detective Constable Lettie Dean said: "Carlisle's victim has shown incredible bravery to come forward. This result has released a huge weight from her shoulders.

"Specially trained officers and lawyers in Merseyside Police's Unity team have been by her side throughout the investigation to provide support and to ensure her evidence was presented to the court and to see justice being done.

"Time should never be a barrier to obtaining justice and I hope today's sentence gives his victims some sense of closure and vindicates their decision to come forward."

DC Dean added: "Merseyside Police takes every report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent, and has dedicated officers within the force's unity team who are specially trained to both thoroughly investigate allegations and make sure that those reporting them are properly supported.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are properly and thoroughly investigated."

Carlisle was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

His accomplice in the robbery, Taylor Miquel Seddon, also 18, of Crossley Road, Thatto Heath was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for three years after admitting robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.