A 32-YEAR-OLD schizophrenic with a concerning "sexual appetite" has been jailed for almost 12 years after a judge said he posed a significant risk to young children.

Even after his release from prison, Javeed Rashid will be subject to an extended licence period of eight years in order to protect youngsters from him.

Rashid, of Ashwell Road, off Emm Lane, Heaton, Bradford, was jailed yesterday afternoon for a series of serious sexual offences against four young girls.

At Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Rose told him: "I am quite satisfied, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you pose a significant risk of serious harm to young children.

"This is a long sentence and I do understand that it will be difficult for you, but these were very, very serious offences and you have caused a lot of harm and damage. It's necessary that you be punished.

"It's necessary that the public be protected."

Rashid, who has mental health difficulties which affect his intellectual functioning, claimed that voices had been telling him to do things, but Judge Rose said the defendant understood the difference between right and wrong.

"There can be no question but that you understood full well that what you did to these little girls was wrong and was bad," said the judge.

"And if you were found out you would get into a lot of trouble."

Rashid, who admitted offences including oral rape of one girl and attempted oral rape of another, was jailed for a total of 11 years and 11 months.

Judge Rose said no court could fail to be very concerned by Rashid's "very significant sexual appetite" and there was no treatment that a hospital could offer.

The judge commended the girls, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, for their bravery in speaking up about the "disgraceful and disgusting" things that Rashid had done.

"You will go to prison and when the sentence is over you will come out, but a victim of sexual abuse will feel the pain forever," Judge Rose told Rashid.

"That's why you have to go to prison for a long time.

"It's very very sad to have to send to prison somebody like you. Somebody with limited intelligence. Someone who has a mental illness. Someone who will struggle in prison because they are vulnerable."

Rashid will have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life and he must also abide by an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

"I warn you that the SHPO means that you have to stay away from children when you are free," said the judge.

"If you do not you will go back to prison for even longer."

Police have not released an image of Rashid.