A "MENACE to children" who raped and sexually abused young girls after he befriended their parents was jailed for 12 years today (Friday).

Peter Daniels, aged 69 and of Alderbury, previously admitted 12 sexual offences dating back to August 2016.

Prosecuting, Tim Moores said Daniels was known as "Uncle Peter" to a large number of children in Salisbury.

Daniels had begun to look after many children and they had got into the habit of visiting him, with some staying the night in his home.

Mr Moores said: "It appears he had managed to ingratiate himself by buying presents for children, taking them out on trips and offering to babysit."

He added that Daniels had targeted low income families and bought the girls presents which "made these girls keep coming back".

The court heard that one of the victims said that she had liked going to Daniels' house because she got to do what she liked and was allowed to stay up late.

The other girl said that on two occasions she had "got off her head" after Daniels had given her beer, vodka and cider.

The offences came to light in July this year. Daniels denied any indecent activity until he was shown images and videos that he had taken of himself assaulting the girls.

In mitigation Michael Butt said that the offences "mercifully occurred without the victim knowing anything about it" as all but one had taken place when the girls were asleep.

Mr Butt said Daniels "vehemently denies" that he "deliberately created the opportunity for sexual abuse".

"A significant factor of this case is there is a lack of force, violence or compulsion," Mr Butt added.

"He doesn't seek to minimise what he actually did to them.

"This is an obvious interest that has grown over the years in his mind."

Judge Richard Parkes said Daniels had demonstrated classic grooming behaviour and that the girls freedom at Daniels' house "didn't come without a price".  "You plainly had this offending in your mind over a number of years - you are a menace to children," Judge Parkes added.

"It wouldn't be fair to say that you lured children to your house to abuse them.

"You developed a relationship with these children over many years in order to groom and manipulate them for your own sexaul pleasure.

"You both sexually assualted and filmed what you were doing to them."

Daniels was sent to prison for 12 years with an extended licence period of five years.

He will also be made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order against his two victims and their families.

The full charges against him were: Rape of a child under 13.

Attempted rape of a child under 13.

Two counts of sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl.

Sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl by penetration.

Sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.

Two counts of making a category B indecent film of a child.

Making category A indecent images of a child.

Making category B indecent images of a child.

Two counts of making category C indecent images of a child.

Enquiries are taking place into alleged similar offending by Daniels after other children made complaints.

Daniels is a published author and well known around Salisbury. He wrote the Journal's Scrapbook column until December 2015.

An NSPCC spokesperson for South West England said: “Daniels’ sickening offences represent an extremely serious case of child sexual abuse, including offences of rape and sexual assault.

“His defenceless victims were under the age of 13, and the fact that Wiltshire Police believe there could be more people affected by his crimes who have yet to come forward is deeply concerning.

“Abuse can ruin childhoods and have a lasting impact into adulthood without the right support, so it is vitally important that those impacted receive help in order to recover from these experiences.”

Any adult with concerns about this case can contact the NSPCC Helpline for free, 24/7, on 0808 800 5000. Meanwhile, children can call Childline to discuss any worries they may have on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk.