NOTE: An earlier version of this story was based on inaccurate information provided by police. It has since been corrected.

A "DEPRAVED" rapist has been jailed for 24 years after he was found guilty of more than 20 sexual offences.

Steven Ward, 43, from Fareham was found guilty of 15 counts of rape, five counts of sexual activity with a child and one sexual assault between 2006 and 2017.

Portsmouth Crown Court was told that the offences were committed against three girls over the course of 11 years.

Ward, of Chartwell Close, Fareham, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child.

The jury found him not guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of rape. 

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday, January 13, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the 15 counts of rape, five counts of sexual activity with a child and one sexual assault between 2006 and 2017.

Detective Constable Marie Duffy, the constable investigating the case, described Ward as a "depraved man" and thanks the three victims for their bravery.

DC Duffy added that she hopes the girls' bravery will inspire other who have suffered abuse to come forward.

She said: “I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and trusting us enough to tell us what had happened to them.

“Without their courage this depraved man would not be behind bars today.

“I hope that today’s conviction and jail sentence gives others who have suffered abuse of this nature the confidence to report it to police.

“We will always take these sorts of allegations extremely seriously, and wholeheartedly commend the courage it takes to speak out many years after incidents have happened.”