An evil pervert who committed sex offences on a baby girl was given an extended prison sentence of 14 years.

Warped Clive Gay sexually assaulted the infant and photographed himself in the act.

The photos were found on the paedophile's computer among a hoard of child pornography that was so disturbing some police officers had needed counselling after seeing it.

Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Andrew Bright QC told Gay: "This material is so graphic and so horrible that I understand some of the police officers who had to watch and catalogue the material needed to have counselling afterwards."

The material was found on a computer at his home in South Oxhey, when police raided the property in April last year.

St Albans crown court was told that Gay, 45, had downloaded hundreds of sickening still images and movie clips complete with soundtracks featuring babies and toddlers.

Also found were a set of photos taken on his own camera of a baby being sexually assaulted.

After making enquiries officers were able to trace the family of the child who, when told what had happened, were shocked and stunned.

They had looked on Gay as a friend who'd been entrusted to look after the child on a number of occasions.

The judge told Gay: "The extent to which you breached the trust they placed in you is one of the most shocking aspects of this case."

Gay, of Leven Close, South Oxhey, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on a child under 13, one count of sexual assault on a child under 13 and one count of taking indecent photographs of a child.

He also admitted 11 offences of making indecent photographs of a child, two counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child and one count of possessing 38 extreme pornographic images.

A pre-sentence report called for by the judge had found that Gay posed a "high risk of serious harm to children".

The judge said: "Given the circumstances of this case, it is difficult to see how anyone could argue with that conclusion."

Carle Woolfe, defending, said "He needs substantial assistance to deal with the thoughts and feelings he has for children. He knows he faces a lengthy custodial sentence.

"He wishes to express his remorse and disgust as to how he has behaved and the hurt and upset he has caused."

The judge sentenced Gay to an extended prison sentence of 14 years, explaining to him that the custodial period behind bars will be ten-and-a-half years in prison and he will then be on licence for three-and-a-half years.

His name was also added to the sex offenders register and he was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order.

Detective Constable Emma O'Keeffe from the specialist Child Online Safeguarding Team (COST) said: "This sentence fully reflects the seriousness of the offences committed by Clive Gay.

"I would like to thank the victim's family for showing extreme courage throughout the case and I hope the fact that this man will be in prison for some considerable time will offer them some comfort."

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