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A perverted stalker raped a pregnant woman then forced her to BREASTFEED him.

Kevin Gibbons, 50, subjected the woman and another victim to horrifying sex crimes.

He was jailed yesterday for 25 years, by a judge, who described him as "manipulative, controlling, obsessive and domineering".

Liverpool Crown Court heard Gibbons raped both women and imprisoned them after claiming he "lived by the word of God and practised his teachings."

His first victim said she feels he "sucked the life out of [her]."

His other victim, who he raped while she was pregnant and just after she gave birth made her breastfeed him, had a breakdown and was for a time, suicidal, the court heard.

On one occasion, he forced her to have sex while he filmed it, before he threatened to reveal it to others. His terrorising behaviour, which included stalking, came to light when by a twist of fate both women ended up living in the same street and the police learnt of their ordeals.

The police officer who investigated the case described Gibbons as the most controlling, abusive and cowardly man she had come across during her career.

Detective Constable Sheena Maerevoet, said: "At the heart of this investigation are two innocent women who were subjected to years of horrific sexual and physical abuse."

(Image: PA)

As well as his horrifying sex crimes, Gibbons's long sentence was also for false imprisonment and child abuse. Gibbons from Standish, Greater Manchester, was found guilty of 11 offences after a three-week trial.

Seven jury members returned to court to see him being sentenced. Gibbons, who denied all offences, was convicted of three rapes, two false imprisonment, three indecent assaults, a stalking charge and two of child cruelty.

The court heard that the cruelty offences involved him holding a baby by the ankles and threatening to drop it on its head.

He also swung the infant around in its car seat and threatened to let it go. The stalking saw Gibbons bombard his first victim with letters and notes.

Henry Riding, prosecuting, said he regularly drove past and parked by her home and at her work.

After his arrest his home and car were searched and a number of knives and a bow and arrow were found, which the judge confiscated.

Gibbons was described by the judge as being at significant risk of causing serious sexual and psychological harm to women.

He imposed a 25-year sentence involving 19 years' imprisonment with six years' extended licence. He will have to serve at least two thirds of the 19 years but it will be up to the Parole Board to decide when he no longer poses a risk to the public and can be freed.

Judge David Aubrey told him: "What you said in evidence was a complete and utter charade. You were not motivated by loving, understanding, tolerance and forgiveness."

Detective Constable Maerevoet added: "The facts of this appalling case speak for themselves. "Gibbons is one of the most vile, controlling, abusive and cowardly men I have ever encountered during all my years in policing and I have no hesitation in saying that he deserves every second of his lengthy prison sentence.

"These women felt unable to cope, prisoners in their own home, hunted and haunted by Gibbons to the point they felt like they could not even go to the shops. In some instances, both felt like dying. Their bravery cannot be overstated.

"They showed true courage to give evidence at court and thanks to their tenacity and refusal to allow Gibbons to get away with it, an extremely dangerous man is now behind bars."