A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Bridgwater has been jailed for 16 years for a series of offences relating to indecent images and the sexual abuse of girls.

Kevin Simon Ford, of no fixed abode, was described as a 'vile' man as he was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court today (February 10).

The court heard that one of his victims was aged five at the time of the offence.

Ford admitted three charges of sexual activity, one of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual assault and five counts of making indecent images of children, the majority of which were categorised at the most serious level.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said more than 1,000 images and more than 300 movies of an indecent nature were found on a confiscated Toshiba laptop.

Two of the videos found included Ford abusing a five-year-old victim.

A second indictment involved Ford engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl he had met through carnival club, the court heard. He was 21-years-old at the time.

Ford also was charged with inciting a third victim to engage in sexual activity, a 12-year-old girl also met through the carnival club.

The mother of Ford's five-year-old victim read out a victim impact statement in court, while the defendant hung his head.

"My marriage has broken down and my daughter is insecure and easily reduced to tears.

"I had to be called into school because a boy touched her on the arm and she had a meltdown.

"She was a fun-loving and happy girl and all that is gone because of what he did to her. I hope we never see him again."

Sentencing, Judge David Evans said Ford's behaviour was appalling and said he was no doubt he was dangerous.

"It is difficult to distinguish whether you feel genuine remorse or just self-pity and self-loathing," Judge Evans said.

"Your actions have had appalling consequences. You have left your youngest victim with crippling anxiety and her family unable to trust strangers, neighbours and friends."

Investigating officer Det Con Tony Davis said: “Kevin Ford is a vile man who took advantage of his victims’ families in order to carry out horrific abuse and sexual offences on girls, some of which he filmed.

“One of the victims was aged between four and six years old at the time of these offences.

“During our investigation we seized a quantity of electronic devices, including phones, tablets and laptops, and found more than 4,400 indecent images and movies of children in his possession.

“The victims’ families are understandably struggling to come to terms with the abuse of their children. They’ve been fully supportive of the police investigation and I hope this sentence will help them move forward with their lives.

“The sexual abuse of children and the viewing and sharing of indecent images are abhorrent offences and we’re committed to supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.”