A MONSTER who raped two 10-year-old girls has been jailed indefinitely by a judge who said the depravity of his offences was 'beyond description'.

Royston Harris, 56, was told he will have to spend at least seven years behind bars before he is even considered for parole - but he might never be released.

Shaven headed Harris, of Betworthy, Coaley, sat with his head bowed and his hand to his face throughout the 90 minute hearing at Gloucester Crown Court.

He constantly dabbed his eyes and nose with a blue andkerchief.

The were repeated gasps or horror and disgust from a large group of relatives and neighbours in the public gallery as the full extent of Harris' perverted crimes was described by prosecutor Rupert Lowe.

Harris pleaded gulty to ten charges of raping one of the girls orally and anally between October 2006 and Oct 2010.

He also admitted inciting the same girl between 2006 and 2010 to touch him sexually.

He further pleaded guilty to two charges of raping the other girl orally between Oct 2009 and Oct 2010 and inciting her to engage in sexual activity.

And he admitted a sexual assault on a third girl who was four years older than his two main victims.

Judge Tabor told Harris he was satisfied there was such a risk of further offending that there had to be a sentence of imprisonment for public protection.

He explained this means that although he was passing a nominal 14 year sentence for the offences the term would in fact be indefinite.

"It means the Parole Board will not even consider your case until you have served seven years less the 199 days you have spent in custody on remand," he said.

"You will not be released until the risk you presently represent has been reduced to an extent whereby it is safe for you to return to society."

Jonathan Challinor, defending, said Harris was genuinely remorseful and had been in tears whenever he met him.

Jailing Harris, Judge Tabor told him he had behaved in a 'monstrous way'.

He said he had no doubt the girls would be psychologically scarred for life. And, he said, he was in no doubt that Harris had no remorse or understanding of what he had done.

After the case Gloucestershire police Detective Inspector Mark Little, who leads the specialist team of detectives, said: "The victims in this case were extremely brave in disclosing the horrific crimes committed against them.

"Royston Harris has now rightly been convicted and sentenced for these serious crimes.

"I would urge all children and adults who are aware of or suspect any sexual abuse of children to report the matter to a professional, a trusted adult or via charities such as the NSPCC or ChildLine.

"I would also reassure the public that any information regarding the abuse of children reported to police will be investigated thoroughly."