Jimmy Savile friend DJ Ray Teret sentenced to 25 years for rape and indecent assaults on girls as young as 12

Teret - known as 'Ugly Ray' - was mentored by Savile in the early days of his career

The former DJ and friend of Jimmy Savile Ray Teret has been jailed for 25 years for a string of rapes and indecent assaults carried out on young girls.

He was found guilty last week of seven rapes and 11 indecent assaults carried out on 11 girls who were aged between 12 and 15 at the time.

The offences took place between 1963 and 1979, when the former Radio Caroline DJ used his celebrity status in the Manchester club scene to prey on his young victims.

Known as Ugly Ray - the 73-year-old was mentored by Savile in the early days of his career and was described during his trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court as following him around "like a shadow".

Sentencing him, Mr Justice Baker said: "It is clear that you exploited your celebrity status to sexually abuse young girls.

"Those who were raped had little or no understanding what was happening to them and felt they could do little to prevent the abuse taking place."

He said Teret's "ill-judged cynicism" that his victims would not come forward was matched by his belief that the jury would not believe their accounts.

Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Graham Brock said: "After decades of hiding behind the veneer of being a distinguished radio presenter, Ray Teret has finally been exposed as the manipulative and dangerous sexual predator that he is."

He said Teret "cast a dark shadow" over his victim's lives, adding: "I know from speaking to them personally how devastating the effects of his abuse have been. They have courageously relived their ordeal at court and should be applauded for having the bravery to speak out and bring this man to justice for his appalling crimes.

Teret was cleared of various sexual offences in relation to six other complainants at the conclusion of his trial last week.

Since the trial began, a further four allegations have been brought against Teret, Greater Manchester Police said. CI Brock said that officers "will now be investigating these fresh allegations", but declined to go into further detail.