Sick paedo, 66, who targeted young girl for years caught after ‘accidentally’ uploading child abuse images to Facebook
Evil David Grant was able to carry on assaulting his victim after he was arrested and bailed - despite telling cops he found underage girls "attractive and pretty"
AN EVIL paedophile's years of abuse and horrific sex tourism was uncovered after he "accidentally" uploaded child abuse images to FACEBOOK.
David Grant, 66, was picked up by cops last August and told officers he found underage girls "attractive and pretty" - but was released on bail and able to continue his vile crimes.
The painter and decorator, from Westcliff, in Essex, was meant to be banned from having contact with children after he was arrested and bailed for possession of child abuse images.
But Grant ignored this and carried on assaulting his victim until he was arrested again three months later in what once police officer described as "one of the most harrowing cases" they've seen.
Essex Police only uncovered the depths of his depravity after delving into his seized computers and ploughing through thousands of disturbing videos and pictures.
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Cops found "tens of thousands" of stills from four videos showing sexual assaults.
One of the videos showed the girl asleep as a man performed a sex act.
Officers also found sexual images of another girl known to Grant, as well as nine category A images, 23 category B images and 2,166 category C images of children aged between eight and 12 being abused.
As well as videos of his victim, police found images of other children and "covert" photos of youngsters taken while the paedophile was on one of his frequent trips to to Thailand.
Basildon Crown Court heard that after he was snared by cops, Grant told the girl that he was "going away" and asked whether she wanted a "goodbye massage".
Grant warned the girl the meetings were "our little secret" and he would buy her gifts and fast food as a reward.
The pervert admitted seven counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of sexual activity in the presence of a child, covering at least 30 occasions.
He also admitted one count of possessing indecent photographs of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, and two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child.
Judge Ian Graham handed Grant a six-year prison sentence with a three year extended licence period.
He said: "You have demonstrated no remorse for your actions. I'm satisfied that you present a significant risk of causing serious harm to children by committing further similar offences."
After the sentencing DC Joanne Watts from Essex Police's Online Investigation Team, said: "This is a one of the most harrowing cases I have investigated in my career.
"Grant put his victim through a horrendous ordeal and his imprisonment is testament to our hard work and determination in bringing sex offenders to justice.
"Grant will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life and the victim and family can now start to move on knowing they are safe from this evil predator."
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Grant is a vile sexual predator whose depraved crimes will have had a lasting effect on a young child. It is right that he is now behind bars.
“His victim showed tremendous courage to help jail Grant who must now undergo treatment in prison so that he is not a risk to any child ever again.
“It’s vital that all survivors of abuse are confident they will be listened to when they come forward and that they are given appropriate support afterwards.”
Children can call Childline anytime on 0800 1111 or visit for advice and support.