An Erith paedophile has been jailed for sexually abusing two young girls for more than a decade.

Louis Smellie, 57, of Crusoe Road was sentenced today (December 20) at the Inner London Crown Court to 16 years in prison after he was found guilty of rape, indecent assault, gross indecency, child cruelty and actual bodily harm offences between 1984 and 1995.

The two victims, now in their thirties, reported the abuse in March last year.

The abuse started when the women were around four years old and continued into their teens, and took place at various addresses in the Thamesmead and Ilford areas.

Smellie was arrested by detectives in March last year but denied the allegations when questioned.

Through further investigation and speaking to various witnesses officers were able to corroborate the victim's accounts.

One of the witnesses officers spoke to described how Smellie had physically assaulted her during the same period.

Smellie was charged on Wednesday, July 6 this year and following a trial at the Inner London Crown Court, was found guilty on November 21 of one count of rape of a female under 16, five counts of indecent assault against females under 14, one count of gross indecency against a female under 14, two counts of child cruelty, and one count of actual bodily harm - all by unanimous verdict.

Detective Constable Emma Jimmick, from the Met’s SOECA Command said: "It took an enormous amount of courage for the two women to come forward and report this to police and to then go through the ordeal of a trial. I would like to praise them both for the bravery they’ve shown and I hope that this outcome may help others who have suffered similar abuse in the past to report it to police.

"Smellie preyed on two extremely young girls and subjected them to terrible abuse. It is entirely possible that he has abused other girls and women in the past and I would urge anyone with information to contact us."

Anyone who would like to report sexual abuse can call police on 101 or visit their local police station. For more information and advice for anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, visit the advice section on the Met Police website.