THIS is the face of a vile paedophile from Basildon who tried to rape a young girl.

Vernon Pickett, 52 of Waldringfield, Basildon, also forced the girl to perform a sex act on him, made indecent images of the child and sexually assaulted her.

Pickett was also found to have a huge stash of more than 3,000 indecent images on various devices.

He was jailed for 12 years on Friday.

The offences happened in Basildon in July and August last year.

The offences came to light when the victim reported them to us and when a forensic examination of his mobile phones was carried out, officers identified 28 separate videos showing Pickett carrying out the abuse.

Investigating officer PC Nick Schneider, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Vernon Pickett abused and exploited a young and vulnerable child and documented his horrific behaviour.

"His actions are truly unthinkable and the community is a safer place with this predator behind bars.

"I want to praise the courage of the victim and their family, and thank them for their support throughout this investigation.

"No result can ever make up for Pickett’s crimes but I hope they can begin to move forward knowing that he is serving a long sentence."