A HILLINGDON man who pleaded guilty raping two girls under 13 was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

James Ulrich, 29, will have to serve two -thirds of his sentence before being considered for release, the judge at Isleworth Crown Court ruled.

On release, he will face eight years on extended licence and under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his access to those under 16 and electronic media devices for life.

All the offences occurred between October last year and June of this year in the Hillingdon area.

The offences came to light after police executed a search warrant at his address.

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They were acting on information that he [Ulrich] in possession of indecent images of children. Reviewing the evidence seized, they uncovered a child victim of rape.

A further investigation revealed a second rape victim.

Ulrich had recorded himself carrying out the rapes on the girls, both of whom were under 13 at the time and previously known to him.

Det Con Paul Jackson said: "Bringing this man before the court required great courage by the victims and their families. I would like to thank them personally for supporting the investigation and allowing us to ensure Ulrich was made to face justice.

“Without their co-operation we may never have uncovered the full scale of his horrific abuse.

"These were truly hideous crimes on very young children. That Ulrich recorded the attacks is truly vile and I am glad this man has been brought to account for his terrible actions."

An NSPCC spokesman added: “The level of abuse inflicted on Ulrich’s young victims was extreme and it was extended by their attacker recording and distributing footage of their suffering.

“Sexual abuse has a dramatic impact on victims’ lives. It is vital that they get the support they need as soon as possible to help them recover.”