Cousins were teenagers when they raped and sexually assaulted two children

Two cousins have been jailed for 10 years after they raped and indecently assaulted two girls whilst they themselves were under 16.

David Jones, 32, and Daniel Woodbridge, 31, sexually abused their victims both together and on their own, when Jones was aged 15 and under Woodbridge was aged 13 and under.

The attacks took place in Maesteg, Bridgend, and left one victim with mental health problems and the other victim with a history of self-harm.

Following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court, Woodbridge was found guilty of seven counts of rape and one count of indecent assault and jailed for five years.

Jones was also jailed for five years after being found guilty of five counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and two counts of indecent assault.

Judge Thomas Merfyn Hughes QC said according to Wales Online: "You totally dominated each of the victims."

He added: "Both of you continued to sexually abuse the victims and did for many years get away with it.

"This is a case of sustained and constant sexual abuse of two young girls when they were powerless to prevent it."

A statement by one victim that was read out in court said she had struggled with her mental health and could not achieve closure until the defendants admitted their offending.

A victim impact statement was read out on behalf of one of the victims by Hughes that said: "In her teenage years she struggled to live with her memories and she self-harmed.

"She has lost trust in forming relationships and finds it hard to engage in physical activity. She has become protective of her own children but she hopes to rebuild her life."

Defending Woodbridge Susan Ferrier said her client denied his offending and the court should take account of his age at the time of the offences as he was still attending primary school when the abuse began.

Wales Online reported that Andrew Davies, defending Jones, said that his client had learning difficulties and also asked the court to take into account his client's age at the time of the offences.