A VILE paedophile has been jailed for almost two decades and placed on the sex offenders register for life after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against a child.

Daniel Carroll, of Westbourne Grove, Westcliff, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court today, where he was jailed for 19 years and a further 5 years on licence.

The 45-year-old was charged in February 2023 with two counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of rape of a child over 13, three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and three counts of multiple possession of indecent images of children.

The charges against Carroll were made after Essex Police received a report from a girl who had been sexually abused by the accused over the course of a two-year period.

Following a search of Carroll’s home, police discovered mobile phones and computers which contained category A images, the most serious prohibited images of children.

Carroll was found guilty of the nine offences following a three-week trial which concluded on Tuesday, June 11, at Basildon Crown Court. The jury came to their decision in just 90 minutes.

Following the conviction, the victim thanked investigating officer Detective Constable Christopher Sedgwick for helping her and her family throughout the process.

Detective Constable Christopher Sedgwick said: “For a young girl to approach the police and report the horrendous ordeal she had been through is commendable and shows her enormous strength of character.

“Her bravery and maturity despite having gone through the most horrible of crimes...is admirable in the extreme and shows an enormous strength of character.”

Following the conviction, the victim said the following: “I hoped every day that when this is all over, I can begin to concentrate on me. I want to work on getting better and looking after myself and just maybe I have a chance of not living in constant fear and anxiety now knowing that everyone knows what Carroll is.

"I cannot thank DC Sedgwick enough for all the work he has done, and helping me and my family throughout the process to get this conviction.”