A paedophile with connections to the music industry has been jailed for 16 years for abusing young girls over a 30-year period.

Michael Murphy, 72, of Barriedale, New Cross, was sentenced today at Woolwich Crown Court following a three-week trial.

He was found guilty of 10 sex offences, relating to three female victims, including rape of a child under 13, indecent assault on a girl under 16, gross indecency with a girl under 16, making indecent images and sexual activity with a child.

Between 1980 and 2007, Murphy befriended the families of his victims and used his connections within the music industry for the purposes of grooming.

Murphy was seen as an "exciting man to know" and would get concert tickets for victims or tell them he worked in the music business and was in a band.

Police were first made aware of Murphy in 2015, when the first victim reported that in the 80s and early 90s he had abused her from the age of seven and continued until she reached puberty.

It was established Murphy sexually abused the girl while reading her a bedtime story.

The second victim contacted police in 2016, after watching a TV programme about abuse.

This girl was around nine when she met Murphy on a holiday in Devon.

Following the holiday, Murphy chatted over the phone with the victim and her mother.

Over the years he sent the girl birthday cards, Easter cards and Valentine cards with messages stating he loved her and missed her.

When the "brainwashed" victim was 16 she ran away to live with him for around five years in London.

The third victim described how in the early 90s, when she was also nine, she travelled with Murphy to meet a family member in the USA.

Murphy sexually abused her while she slept.

Months later, Murphy visited the victim’s home in north London, where he followed her into her bedroom and sexually abused her.

Murphy was arrested in 2016 following an in-depth investigation.

Detective Constable Nichola Buckley, one of the investigating officer’s from the Met's child abuse and sexual offences command, said: "Murphy is a dangerous predator, who sexually abused and terrorised young innocent victims who were in his care.

"Although it had taken many years for the victims to gain justice, Murphy has now been brought to account for his actions.

"I would like to praise the victims for their bravery in helping us put Murphy before the courts. I hope this sentence will give them some measure of closure.

"I would urge anyone who has suffered at the hands of people like Murphy to come forward and contact your local police. We take all allegations of this type extremely seriously, and we ensure that victims are supported throughout the whole process."

If you would like to report any offences, call 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.