A paedophile raped and sexually assaulted four girls over an eight year period.

Vile James Barrett is now beginning a 24-year jail term after being found guilty of committing the offences between 2008 and 2016.

The 65-year-old, of Louvain Road, Greenhithe, attacked his victims, who were aged between eight and 15 at his home and an address in Bexley.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of five counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of rape, four counts of sexual activity with a child, four counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and one offence of raping a child under 13.

The victims first contacted police on Monday, May 29, and Barrett was arrested and charged the following day.

He was found guilty earlier this month following a five-day trial and was jailed this week.

Det Con Marie Hill, from the Met's Child Abuse & Sexual Offences Command, said: "I would like to thank the brave victims for coming forward and pursuing this case. This lengthy sentence demonstrates the destructive path this defendant created for these victims and I hope it brings them some closure."

Det Sgt Jivan Saib added: "I hope this conviction for historical offences demonstrates how hard the Met will work to bring justice for victims of sexual offences. I hope this encourages all victims of sexual abuse crimes to come forward."

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: “This was a systematic and prolonged campaign of sickening abuse which will have caused Barrett’s victims unimaginable distress.

“His depraved actions will have a lifelong effect on four vulnerable girls and their bravery in speaking out is hugely commendable. We hope they are receiving support to overcome their experiences.

“Child sexual abuse ruins lives and it’s extremely important that survivors have the confidence to come forward, no matter how much has time passed.”