A PAEDOPHILE who sexually assaulted four young girls and repeatedly raped one of them has been jailed for 14 years.

David Power, aged 40, of no fixed address, abused the girls, one as young as six, over several years, Bolton Crown Court heard.

The crimes only came to light in January this year when one of the victims told her mother what had been happening.

Gavin Howie, prosecuting, told the court how police were contacted and the disclosure led to three further victims coming forward.

"Once the revelation had been made they all felt empowered to tell their story," said Mr Howie.

Power would touch the girls under their clothing and perform sex acts upon himself.

The abuse then escalated and led to the repeated rape of one girl when she was aged 13.

Mr Howie said the girl had been worried about getting pregnant but Power told her he had had a vasectomy.

"She said she would say no but he physically imposed himself upon her," said Mr Howie.

Power was arrested the day after a complaint was made to police and he immediately admitted his guilt.

"He was able to recall in some detail what he had done," said Mr Howie.

Power told officers he had been unable to stop abusing the children.

"He said there was a spark within him — an urge to touch them which he felt unable to resist," said Mr Howie.

Power pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, four charges of sexually assaulting a child under 13 and assault.

He was jailed for 14 years and Judge Timothy Stead also made orders placing him on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period and banning him from working with children and vulnerable adults.