A vile sex predator who preyed on two youngsters has been sent to the prison with the words of a mother ringing in his ear: "I can't forgive you... she was so little."

Robert Bullock made the victims relive their nightmare by making them give evidence at his trial after he denied the offences.

Yet as he faced his sentence, the 33-year-old paedophile bleated about catching Covid-19 during the eight months he was on remand in prison and being locked up for 23-and-a-half hours a day.

The jury at Maidstone Crown Court had rejected his lies and convicted him of "sustained abuse" involving sick and depraved acts.

He had earlier admitted downloading illegal material.

Bullock, from Hawthorn Close, Kings Hill has now been jailed for a total of nine years and four months and ordered to sign the Sex Offender's Register for life.

The victim's mother added: "When I think about what he did I feel sick and disgusted and appalled. I can't forgive him for what he has done... she was so little."

The court heard the offences came to light when he began uploading child sex images.

Prosecutor Abigail Husbands said police officers raided his home and took away his computer after finding images and videos - including some involving children as young as three.

When forensic experts examined the contents they discovered chatlogs in which he boasted about his abuse.

As he sat impassive in the dock, one of his courageous victims watched just feet away.

A second victim watched proceedings via CCTV from another room.

The mother of a second victim told the judge through a victim impact statement read out by the prosecutor: "I was disgusted by what I saw. He (Bullock) had lied and manipulated.

"He has destroyed my child and destroyed my family. I don't understand how he could do this and think he could get away with it.

"He gets to walk away once he has finished his sentence and we are left picking up the pieces."

Judge Tony Baumgartner told him he had been convicted on "clear and compelling evidence" of "sustained sexual abuse" and had caused "serious harm" to his victims.

Commenting on the case, an NSPCC spokeman said: “After all that Bullock put his young victims through, he forced them to relive their experiences in court. They have shown incredible strength.

“Child sexual abuse can cause trauma and pain that lasts a lifetime and we hope the survivors in this case are getting all the support they need to help rebuild their lives. It’s vital that anyone who is concerned a child might be at risk of abuse seeks help.

“Children can contact Childline every day of the year on 0800 1111 or at www.Childline.org.uk. Adults who want to report abuse or are concerned for a child’s wellbeing can contact police or the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.”

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