Craig McGuire, of The Coppice, Narborough, Leicestershire Police

A paedophile who groomed young girls over the internet has been jailed for six years.

Craig McGuire, of The Coppice, Narborough, directly groomed four girls aged 13 to 15, but had contact details for almost 200 youngsters.

Craig McGuire, of The Coppice, Narborough, was jailed for six years

The 37-year-old posed as a 15-year-old boy in online chatrooms, winning girls' trust by showering them with gifts.

He persuaded his four victims to send him indecent images of themselves.

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Following his sentencing yesterday, Leicestershire Police are to hold an online question-and-answer session for parents and youngsters who want to know more about internet safety.

Speaking after the hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, Detective Constable Louisa Letts said: "Craig preyed on young and vulnerable girls.

"He lured them into a false sense of security, grooming them so that they felt safe with him."

McGuire pleaded guilty to 18 offences of grooming and possession of indecent images of children.

The court heard he began by befriending his victims online and later sent them gifts including clothes, perfume and flowers.

He used a photograph of a handsome teenager downloaded from the internet in his profile and posted under different names, including Steve, Chris, James and Grant.

Det Con Letts said: "Craig thought he had covered his tracks well, ensuring he didn't use his own name or image.

"This was an incredibly detailed investigation in which officers spoke to girls from across the country and found details for international youngsters, also.

"The girls we have spoken to as part of this investigation have been incredibly brave.

"They have had to relive and discuss issues of an extremely personal nature and their bravery has helped us to ensure this man received a lengthy prison sentence."

McGuire came to police attention in 2009, when he was arrested on suspicion of voyeurism.

Officers found indecent images of children on his mobile phone and home computers.

The grooming offences came to light two years later, when another force contacted Leicestershire to express concern about McGuire's relationship with a young girl.

Police examined his new computers and a phone and found hundreds more indecent images of children.

They also found he had contact details for almost 200 girls.

Detective Sergeant Ed Jones, of the force's paedophile and online investigation team, said: "It's extremely important parents take an active interest in who their children are corresponding with online and educate them about the dangers of speaking to people they do not know."

To take part in the hour-long eMeeting, starting at 6.30pm on October 8, go to:

www.leics.police.uk/webchat

Join in on Twitter using the hash tag #leicswebchat