A PAEDOPHILE who seriously injured a toddler during a sexual assault has been jailed for 17 years.

The two-year-old girl had to undergo emergency surgery after Luke Jones, from Warrington, sexually assaulted her in what was described by a judge as an ‘utterly appalling’ attack.

And the 24-year-old supermarket worker was handed a 17-year prison sentence this morning, Thursday, at York Crown Court.

Investigating officer DC Matthew Brownridge, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “Luke Jones inflicted horrific injuries on his victim and put the victim’s family through hell whilst trying to cover up what he had done.

“I am very pleased that we have managed to get justice for the victim and their family, and I would like to commend them all for the bravery they have shown throughout the investigation.

“There are no words that can make up for what they have been through, and I hope the fact Luke Jones will now be behind bars for a very long time will allow them some kind of peace in order to try and move forward.”

The court heard that former Lymm High School pupil Jones rang 999 at around 3.30pm on Monday, November 12, claiming the girl had harmed herself.

Call operators reported that they could hear the girl whimpering in the background and saying ‘mummy soon’.

After arriving on the scene, paramedics found the child standing in the bath bleeding, naked, soaking wet and cold while Jones was ‘sitting on the ground in the foetal position’.

Prosecution barrister Stephen Wood told the court that the youngster was in such pain that she needed morphine upon her arrival at hospital, with doctors operating on the child at around midnight.

She has since made a full recovery, with paramedics praised for their professionalism after responding to an ‘appalling situation’.

Mr Wood said: “She must have been in agony and utterly terrified.”

Jones admitted sexual assault during an earlier court hearing and was ordered by judge Andrew Stubbs to serve at least 12 years behind bars before being released on license.

Sentencing, judge Stubbs said: “It is hard to imagine a more serious case than this - you have pleaded guilty to an utterly appalling crime.”

The defendant will remain on the sex offenders register for life and is now banned from having any contact with girls under the age of 18 after being subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

In a statement, the victim’s mum said: “This has been a really traumatic time for my family but we would like to say a big thank you to the NHS and police force for their help and support during this time.”

An NSPCC spokesman added: “This is a truly horrific case, and the pain and sexual violence inflicted on this very young child is unimaginable.

“Babies and young children are completely dependent upon the adults around them, and to abuse the trust they have in us in such a vile manner is truly reprehensible.

“We all have a duty to look out for children’s welfare and anyone concerned about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 at any time, free of charge.

“If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.”