A "minimum sentence" for rape was indicated in guidelines to judges for the first time today.

The Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) set out a "sentencing range" for rape and more than 50 other sex crimes.

Rape of a victim over the age of 16 with no aggravating factors could lead to a sentence of between four and eight years, the document said.

However, the starting point from which judges would calculate the sentence for such a rape would be five years, it said.

Raping a child aged between 13 and 16 would lead to a starting point of eight years, and a range of six to 11 years.

In the case of a child under 10, the starting point will be 10 years and the range eight to 13.

Judges will be allowed to sentence offenders above or below the indicated ranges, but will have to explain their reasons for doing so.

The new guidelines for sex crimes are based on a consultation paper published by the SGC last summer.