A pervert who abused girls as young as four will serve a minimum of nine years in jail.

Simon German, 31, formerly of Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne was given a sentence of 18 years at Maidstone Crown Court for a string of offences across Medway and Kent.

He will serve a minimum of nine years before being considered suitable to apply for parole.

German was charged with three counts of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in a sexual activity, causing a girl under 13 to watch an image of sexual activity, sexual assault of a girl under 13, assault by touching, three counts of rape and one count of attempted rape.

The offences were all multiple and took place during a period of 8 years between 2000 and 2008.

All offences were committed on young girls.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jane Miller said: "German committed a number of horrific acts of a sexual nature on innocent and helpless victims. He would form relationships with women who had children of an age he found sexually attractive and would then target them for abuse.

"All of the offences have shown a gross breach of trust and we are pleased that he has been given a significant sentence. Sexual offences of this nature cause great distress to all of those involved and we hope that this sentence offers some form of closure."

German pleaded not guilty to all of the offences he was charged with. However, following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court he was found guilty and was sentenced on December 16.