A PAEDOPHILE who abused young children has been jailed.

Raymond Marco De Vries, of Gillcrest Close in Sturminster Newton, was sentenced to 11 years in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court this week after admitting a catalogue of offences against children.

The 45-year-old admitted 14 counts, which included inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity, sexual activity with two children under 13 and making and distributing indecent images of children.

He also admitted possession of a paedophile manual - a guide on how to abuse and groom a child for sexual purposes.

Dorset Police launched an investigation last year and in June, officers raided De Vries' home.

He told officers he had computer equipment that would be of interest to them.

After his arrest, De Vries said he was interested in young girls aged between eight and 12.

Officers then examined his computers, which took a "considerable amount of time" as a result of the quantity of images and devices.

Investigators eventually discovered thousands of indecent images of children, including 2,258 in category A, the most serious grading, 1,969 in category B and 27,201 in category C. Officers also found 619 prohibited images and 42 images depicting extreme pornography.

Evidence was also found of De Vries involved in sexual activity with children.

Following his arrest, it was discovered that the defendant had been convicted for possession of indecent images in the Netherlands in 2000 and 2002. He was sent to prison on both occasions.

Detective Constable Wendy Stout, of Dorset Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “De Vries had a large number of indecent images of children stored on his home computers and admitted that he used them for his own sexual gratification. He also admitted committing offences involving young children.

"I hope this case yet again sends a very clear message to those involved in the abuse of children or those who choose to download and share indecent images of children that your activity will be discovered, you will be arrested and you will be brought to justice.”

De Vries will serve a three-year licence extension upon his release from prison.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders' register.