Driving instructor raped 14-year-old girl and sexually assaulted string of pupils

Video clip of assault on unconscious girl found on Martyn Rees' phone

Martyn Rees has been jailed for 18 years (PA)

A man who raped a 14-year-old girl and sexually assaulted a number of other women, has been jailed for 18 years.

Martyn Rees used his job as a driving instructor to prey on his victims, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.

The 37-year-old "had a disturbing and unhealthy interest in young children and extreme pornography,” Judge David Fletcher said during sentencing, when he also handed Rees an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will place him on the sex offenders register for life.

Convicted of rape and two charges of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl in March, the Stoke native was also found guilty of two counts of attempted sexual assault, six charges of making indecent images and two counts of possession of extreme pornography.

He attacked a string of women in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheshire and Manchester between February 2015 and March 2018, police said.

Following his arrest last March, he had also admitted to assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault, four counts of making an indecent image and two counts of possession of cannabis.

Staffordshire Police detectives found 29 video clips of Rees’ female students on his phone, following his arrest. One featured a teenager who was unconscious while Rees sexually assaulted her.

Detective Constable Andrew Hayes said his sentence reflected " just how dangerous" Rees was.

He added: "Over a number of years Rees offended against vulnerable young females, abusing his position as a driving instructor. The successful conviction was only possible due to the bravery and courage of the victims.

“They were brave enough to report what had happened and had the courage to have their voices heard in court. I hope this is a positive message to victims of similar offences that you will be listened to, you will be believed, you will be supported and the offence will be investigated,” Mr Hayes added.