A 36-year-old man who filmed himself repeatedly raping a girl under the age of 13 has been jailed for 16 years at Snaresbrook crown court today.

Lee Stuart Curley, from Tower Hamlets, carried out the attacks over a period of 10 months between May 2015 and March 2016.

The court heard how Curley, as well as owning 1,006 images of child abuse, recorded more than 120 images and videos of his assaults on his victim on his mobile and iPad.

On top of the 16 year sentence, Curley will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Curley, arrested on March 5, initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea at a hearing at Snaresbrook crown court on May 17 when presented with the weight of evidence against him.

He pleaded guilty to the rape of a girl under 13, possessing an extreme pornographic image portraying rape, possessing indecent photographs of a child and making indecent photographs of a child.

The paedophile, described as ‘depraved’ during his trial, was also charged with six offences in relation to a second victim who he groomed between 2012 and 2014.

On these charges he pleaded guilty to three offences of inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and three offences of causing a child under 13 to look at an image of sexual activity.

DC Carla Goymer-Ellice, of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, said it was one of the worst cases she ever dealt with.

“My thoughts throughout this inquiry have been with those who suffered at the hands of this man.

“In 14 years of investigating serious and sexual crime, this was one of the worst cases I have dealt with.

“It was a terrible series of assaults that upset even experienced investigators, but we were all fully committed to bringing the man responsible to justice.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “The level of torrid abuse Curley’s young victim suffered was extreme. No child should ever have to go through what she went through.

“Curley’s vile actions will have a dramatic impact on his victim for the rest of her life. It is vital she gets the support she needs as soon as possible to help recover from the ordeal.

“Any child in need of advice and support can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk”