Sex tourist jailed for abusing children

A paedophile who travelled to the Ukraine so he could sexually abuse young girls was today jailed indefinitely, court officials said.

Trevor Sharpe, 50, of Goldcrest Close, Waterlooville, Hampshire, took photos and videos of his encounters and paid his victims - some of whom were as young as seven.

The IT specialist pleaded guilty to 58 charges of sexual abuse and making indecent photographs from April 2005 and January 2009 when he appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He also admitted four charges of possessing cans of pepper spray.

The sex tourist drove from England to housing estates in the city of Odessa and enticed children to come into his car.

Police said they believed he had preyed on more than 30 victims but only three had been identified.

Officers found 325 photos and 78 video clips taken by Sharpe on his computer and a separate hard drive.

Another 26,443 photos and 95 video clips he had downloaded were also discovered.

Sharpe admitted 14 counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of children, 10 counts of causing or inciting children to engage in sexual activity, one count of sexual assault of a child under 13 and 33 counts of taking or making indecent images of children.

Sentencing, Judge Richard Price said Sharpe was highly dangerous and said he would not be considered for release until he had served at least two years and one month and then only if he was deemed safe.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and was banned from owning a computer, phone or device that can connect to the internet.

He was also banned from owning a device for taking still or video images and from having contact with children under 16.