A FORMER policeman and rugby club captain has been jailed for ten-and-a-half years for the rape and indecent assault of a woman, and sexual offences against three girls under 16.

David James Ewen’s victims came forward after he was convicted last year for aggravated burglary and assault. After he was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court, the detective who led the investigation labelled him “the most dangerous man I’ve ever met”.

Ewen, 50, a former policeman in Manchester who moved to New Milton in the 1990s, had denied rape and indecent assault but jurors found him guilty after a trial at Southampton Crown Court.

The victims spoke up after Ewen was jailed for attacking another woman and her daughter in February 2009.

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He entered their home dressed in a balaclava and wielding a truncheon, and was put behind bars for a minimum of three years.

In addition to the adult victim, three other females – two in Hampshire and one in Manchester – contacted police to say that they were also victims. They all accused Ewen of sexual assault and he admitted the charges.

One girl was 13 when targeted, another was 15, and the other was targeted four times, starting when she was at primary school.

Charles Thomas, prosecuting, said that Ewen’s imprisonment started a “domino effect” of other victims calling police.

James Newton-Price, mitigating, said that his client, a father-of-two from Brownsea Close in New Milton, was “appalled” by the crimes.

He added: “He’s extremely sorry for everything he has done and takes full responsibility.”

Judge Jane Miller told Ewen: “These offences that I’m dealing with today are secrets that you hoped would never come to light.”

She put Ewen on the sexual offenders’ register for life. He will not be eligible for parole for seven years.

After the sentencing, Detective Constable Paul Harfield, who handled all the cases against Ewen, welcomed the result.

“I’d say he was probably the most dangerous man I’ve ever met,” he added.