A 25-year-old Romanian has been jailed after raping his pregnant 'wife' who he had moved to Britain with.

The man, of Romany gypsy background, illegally married the girl in their native country before settling in Essex.

He was imprisoned for six years after admitting having sex with a child under the age of 13.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has said he wants to 'reignite' the relationship when he has served his prison sentence.

The girl is understood to have returned to Romania and is just weeks away from giving birth, the court heard.

The man's lawyer said he had got 'caught up' in what was a 'widespread practice' and 'tradition' and claimed his 'upbringing' had landed him in court.

Chelmsford Crown Court (pictured) was told Romany gypsies are 'badly marginalised' in Romania and the defendant's 'upbringing' had landed him in court

Jamie Sawyer, prosecuting, said the age of consent in Romania is 16 - the same as in the UK.

He said: '[The couple] met in Romania and in the victim's view, no one complained about the age gap between them.

'She has gone back to Romania, and the defendant says how he has a wish to reignite that relationship when he is able.'

Their illegal marriage was uncovered by police on April 7 this year when their car was stopped at a car wash in Epping while they and two other children were in it.

Detectives later searched their home and found a small room with a double bed the Romanian man and the girl shared.

Laura Kenyon, defending, told the court the marriage was an 'exceptional' case with very 'unusual circumstances'.

She said: 'There is no grooming, exploitation, force or coercion in this case. This was consent within a marriage, albeit an unlawful marriage.

'This is a widespread practice, an ancient custom that is still used today. The marriage of a young girl and older man is not an extraordinary event in their culture.

'He is following that tradition and is caught up in it.'

Chelmsford Crown Court was told Romany gypsies are 'badly marginalised' in Romania and the defendant's 'upbringing' had landed him in court.

But the man was jailed for six years after admitting having sex with a child under the age of 13.

Sentencing, Judge Patricia Lynch said: 'The issue here is the age of consent and age of lawful marriage in Romania is the same as in this country – it is 16 years of age.

'Sexual activity with children is against the law and we are dealing with a 12-year-old child, no matter what the customs are in another land. She is a child expecting a child I am told in a few short weeks and I am told she will not have an education in Romania.

'This is not a case of informed consent. Children need to be protected from others and from their selves.'

The man was given full credit for admitting statutory rape and was jailed for six years.

He will also spend 10 years on the sex offenders register.