A "sexual predator" who raped and assaulted seven victims over a 25-year period has been jailed for what a judge says amounts to a life sentence.

The "evil" 44 year old attacked women and young girls in a catalogue of sex crimes including three rapes and seven sexual assaults including three on children under 13. He cannot be identified by direction of a judge.

He targeted a "vulnerable" young girl who had spent time living on the streets, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Cardiff Judge Stephen Hopkins said the harm he had caused his victims was "incalculable".

There were cheers from the public gallery as Judge Hopkins passed a sentence totalling 26 years.

Judge Hopkins, QC, said: "In my view you are not just an evil man but an exceptionally dangerous man.

"The hurt and psychological damage you have caused your seven victims and others is incalculable.

"You're a man without conscience and remorse.

"You are and have been a sexual predator and one who presents a high risk of harm to the public."

He pleaded guilty to a total of 10 offences before his trial was due to begin.

The rapist remained impassive as Judge Hopkins jailed him.

He received three years for one count of rape, one year for a sexual assault, three years for another rape and six years for two sexual assaults on a child under the age of 13 to run concurrently, totalling 13 years.

In addition, he was given 18 months for two sexual assaults to run consecutively, totalling three years, plus three years for a sexual assault on a child under 13 and three years for another sexual assault to run concurrently totalling three years, plus 10 years for one rape to run consecutively with the other offences, totalling 13 years.

The two sets of offences are to run consecutively, totalling 26 years.

Judge Hopkins said he would have to serve half his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

He has already served about six months on remand, meaning he will have to serve at least 12 and a half years before he is released.

The defendant will also have to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely.