A serial child rapist’s solicitor asked a judge to show her client mercy and allow him one last Christmas with his family before putting him behind bars.

Judge Simon Carr denied the request and sentenced Scott Glover, 43, from the Camborne area, to 23 years' imprisonment.

Glover, who used to work at a garage in Helston, committed 37 sexual offences involving a girl between the time she was eight and 14.

He was found guilty of rape of a child, sexual assault by penetration and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

During Glover’s sentencing today at Truro Crown Court, his defending solicitor Heather Hope addressed judge Simon Carr, saying: “I’m going to ask the court for mercy today.

“He has two young sons, they are the innocents in all this.

“They are somewhat aware of all of this but the significance is about to hit home.

“I ask your honour to let him have one last Christmas, because he’s not going to have one for a very very long time.”

Judge Carr responded by saying: “He has shown not a shred of remorse for what he has done.”

Sentencing Glover, he said: “[Your victim’s] life has been devastated, she will carry the effects of what you did for the rest of her life.”

Glover denied 38 charges, and was found guilty of 37 of these by a jury after six and a half hours of deliberation.

Judge Carr handed him the 23-year sentence for 15 of the charges, with 22 years in custody. Glover was given a seven-year sentence for the remaining 22 charges, to run concurrently.

He will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole, although judge Carr noted that he found it “difficult, from a personal perspective, to ever envisage a time” that parole would be granted.

An NSPCC spokeswoman for the South West of England said of the conviction: “Glover brazenly pursued and groomed a young girl over many years to fulfil his own perverted sexual desires.

“As a survivor of sexual abuse this girl has courageously spoken out about what was happening, which has prevented her abuser from inflicting harm on other children.

“She has shown extreme bravery in doing so, and it’s important she is provided with the necessary support going forward.”

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free 24/7 on 0808 800 5000. Meanwhile, children can call Childline on 0800 1111.