A 'DETERMINED and persistent' paedophile who abused six children over a period of almost two decades has been jailed for 21 years.

Anthony Sutton, 58, filmed himself raping an eight-year-old girl and took photographs of himself molesting a boy aged 12-14.

Sutton, who used to be known as Kevin Gibbs, was yesterday convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court of 31 offences, including two counts of rape and multiple charges of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

The abuse took place while he was living at various addresses in Bradford, including in the Fagley and Woodside areas, between 1984 and 2003.

Balding, bespectacled, Sutton, who wore a black leather jacket and black shirt, sat in the dock with his head in his hands after the jury delivered its guilty verdicts.

Judge David Hatton QC told him: "For many years you must have thought you had got away with it, you hadn't."

Labelling Sutton a 'sexual predator" the judge said: "The passage of time since your offending is not a mitigating factor.

"The effect upon these people even now is significant. It is immeasurable."

Sutton's first victim was abused when she was aged between seven and 12.

"The childhood that she must have endured beggars belief," Judge Hatton said.

Sutton went on to molest three more girls and two boys, raping two of them.

Prosecutor Jacob Dyer told the jury during the three week trial that Sutton was aggressive and controlling, targeting children for his own sexual gratification.

His offending came to light when a woman complained to the police in 2010.

Detective Constable Sarah Yates, who was commended by the judge, then began piecing together the case, interviewing previous complainants.

Mr Dyer said Sutton told his first two victims it was 'their secret' when he abused them.

He next targeted a boy aged 12, taking photos and videos and raping the child as he screamed for him to get off.

Sutton encouraged the boy to smoke cannabis at a flat in Wibsey and threatened to sexually abuse the loser at a game of darts, involving the youngster and his friend.

He abused a third girl when she was eight, videoing the sexual activity on a camcorder on a tripod.

"The defendant told her if she told anyone he would come and get her and that it was their little secret," Mr Dyer said.

Sutton went on to rape the girl, leaving her scared, confused and in pain.

His final two victims, a boy and girl, were touched indecently when they were aged eight and six.

Sutton was arrested at his home in Appleton Court, Beeston, Nottingham, in December 2011 and denied any wrongdoing.

But Mr Dyer told the jury the defendant was 'a determined and persistent paedophile."