Robin James Elms, 23, targeted a child with special needs during a campaign of abuse in private homes where he worked as a freelance nanny and babysitter.

He picked on children he thought were too young to speak up or who had learning difficulties and autism, grooming entire families in order to commit his abuse.

The trainee teacher pleaded guilty to 20 offences including ten counts of sexual assault, five counts of taking indecent videos of children and four counts of voyeurism against nine children aged between two and 14 between 2018 and 2020.

Judge Ashworth emphasised the families had done nothing wrong.

Sentencing Elms at Portsmouth Crown Court, Judge Lance Ashworth told him: “You groomed the families, moving from home to home, beguiling them and making them feel sorry for you.”

Detective Constable Chris Smith of Sussex Police said: “Elms used his access, and the trust placed in him by the parents, to systematically abuse children in their own homes.

“His offences were horrendous breaches of trust, which are every parent’s greatest concern.

Elms was sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison with a five year extended prison licence.

He will be a registered sex offender for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last until further court notice, severely restricting his access to children and digital devices.

If your child was subject to abuse at the hands of Robin James – please contact Charles Derham on 02393552153 or by email on charles@remedylaw.co.uk