A 17-year-old girl from Wisbech who became infatuated with a “dangerous and sickening paedophile” has been sentenced to four years in juvenile detention.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recorded Kristopher Jane sexually abusing a three-year-old girl and filmed herself sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl, Cambridge Crown Court heard on Friday (March 17).

Jane, 31, was sentenced to 22 years in prison at the same court.

The pair both pleaded guilty to a number of sexual offences involving children at Peterborough Crown Court on January 10.

A police investigation into Jane and the teenage girl began on September 22 last year (2016) following a report from a concerned member of the public.

The following day (September 23) Jane was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police at his home address in Bristol. Following his arrest, his mobile phone was examined which uncovered a total of 2,325 still and moving indecent images of children.

The majority of these images, specifically 1,332, were graded by specialist officers as category A; the most severe. 435 were category B and 558 category C.

It also transpired that between 2012 and 2014 Jane had been sexually abusing a teenage girl in his home county of Bristol.

The 17-year-old girl was arrested on September 24 at her home address in Wisbech and interviewed by police.

When their mobile phones were recovered by police and searched by investigators, they discovered “harrowing” and “depraved” videos and still images of sexual abuse against a number of children. In one of the more extreme videos, the three-year-old girl was said to be upset and distressed. There was also images and videos of an older child being sexually assaulted by someone believed to be the 17-year-old defendant.

In relation to the 17-year-old girl, defence counsel Claire Matthews, said: “She is raked with shame and remorse. If she had the power to turn back the clock she would.

“It took a lot of courage for her to effectively break down and tell them what it was that she had been doing in a police interview.

“She gave complete co-operation and admissions – passed what police discovered on her mobile phone.

“She was under his influence and a form of pressure. The fact is she was infatuated and wanted to keep the relationship going.

“It is possible that she found it hard to say no to someone who is so controlling.

“She is a young person who is described as being socially and emotionally vulnerable but has the determination to turn her life around.”

Judge David Farrell QC told the 17-year-old defendant: “You knew full well what you were doing was wrong and very wrong indeed.”

“At the time of these offences you were 16 and therefore I am sentencing you as a youth. I must have regard to your welfare, as well as rehabilitation, punishment and the protection of the public.

“I accept a custodial sentence is a last resort, but the offences here are simply so serious: the child was particularly vulnerable because she was asleep in her bed at the time, and also your presence and the taking of photographs of a three-year-old girl being deliberately penetrated.”

The girl was given a sexual harm prevention order which will remain for 10 years.

In relation to Jane, police discovered 219 indecent images of the three-year-old girl on his digital camera when his transit van was searched, as well as more than 2,000 images of unidentified young children on a computer.

In a handwritten letter to the court, Jane is said to have admitted his actions were “despicable” and “unforgivable”.

After hearing from Andrew Shaw, prosecuting, and Courtenay Griffiths, defending, Judge Farrell QC said “his intention was obvious” and described Jane’s offences as “monstrous behaviour”.

Before sentencing Jane, of Keynsham, Bristol, Judge Farrell QC told him: “You are a dangerous and sickening paedophile. You abused a three-year-old for your own perverted sexual gratification over a period of time.

“It was entirely unnatural and monstrous behaviour demonstrating a complete lack of understanding of the suffering you’ve obviously caused and a failure of basic morality.

“I have had to listen to the most harrowing accounts of how that baby was suffering as you abused her and held her against her will.

“It is utterly appalling, the emotional and physical harm you caused.

“With regard to any remorse at the time of the offences, it was clearly all lacking.

“It is my judgment that you are of a serious risk to members of the public and, particularly, young children.”

Jane was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Leah Meftah, from the Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU), said: “Jane is a very dangerous individual who has a clear sexual interest in young girls.

“The victims have been very brave in talking to us about what happened to them and I would like to thank them for this.

“I hope knowing Jane is behind bars for the next 22 years brings some comfort to the girls and will help them in moving on from their ordeal.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “This was a catalogue of horrendous abuse against vulnerable young children and it is right that both have been brought to justice for their crimes.

“Child sexual abuse has devastating, life-long effects on its victims and we hope all those involved in this horrific case are receiving appropriate support to help them get on with their lives.

“It’s crucial that both receive treatment as part of their sentences to ensure no children are at risk when they are released.”

Anyone concerned about a child can call the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 500. Children can contact Childline anytime on 0800 1111.”

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to sexual offences involving children, including:

• Assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration (victim A: 7-year-old girl, 2016)

• Assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration (victim A: 7-year-old girl, 2016)

• Taking indecent photographs of a child under the age of 18 (victim A: 7-year-old girl, 2016)

• Taking indecent photographs of a child under the age of 18 (victim 2: 3-year-old girl, 2016)

• Distributing indecent photographs of a child under the age of 18 (victim A: 7-year-old girl, 2016)

• Distributing indecent photographs of a child under the age of 18 (victim 2: 3-year-old girl, 2016)

Kristopher Jane was sentenced for the following sexual offences involving children, including

• Assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration (victim 1: 12-year-old girl, between 2012 and 2013)

• Sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 (victim 1: 13-year-old girl, between 2013 and 2014)

• Assault of a child under the age of 13 by penetration (victim 2: 3-year-old girl, 2016)

• Assault of a child under the age of 13 by penetration (victim 2: 3-year-old girl, 2016)

• Causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity (victim 2: 3-year-old girl, 2016)

• Assault of a child under the age of 13 by penetration (victim 2: 3-year-old girl, 2016)

• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under the age of 16 (victim 3: 13-year-old girl, 2016)

• Making indecent photographs of a child under the age of 16 (284 images – 188 category C, 37 category B, 59 category A)

• Making indecent photographs of a child under the age of 16 (40 images – 9 category C, 16 category B, 15 category A)

• Making indecent photographs of a child under the age of 16 (1,740 images – 979 category C, 365 category B, 446 category A)

• Making indecent photographs of a child (13 images)

• Making indecent photographs of a child (261 images – 206 category C, 17 category B, 38 category A)