'Prolific sexual offender' jailed for child abuse

A man who pleaded guilty to the attempted rape of a child as young as four has been jailed for 16 years.

Nathan Behrens, 21, of Julien Court Road, Braintree, admitted eight offences, which also included sexual assault and possessing indecent images of a child.

Essex Police described him as a "prolific sexual offender" and said the offences took place between 2022 and 2025.

After sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, Det Con Kai Ishaq said: "Behrens poses a significant risk to children. His actions have caused a great deal of harm to those affected and that can have a long-lasting effect."

He continued: "I want to pay tribute to the victims and their families for the courage they have shown and thank them for trusting us to secure justice for them."

"Due to the meticulous investigation and the evidence we were able to build up against Behrens, he has been left with no option but to admit his crimes and will now spend the foreseeable future behind bars."

Behrens pleaded guilty to attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault, assault by penetration, possession or making of indecent images of children, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and causing a child to watch an image of sexual activity.

He was jailed for 16 years with a further eight years on extended licence.

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