The Hove man pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, seven counts of sexual assault by touching and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without their consent.

He will be a registered sex offender indefinitely and was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last until further court order, severely restricting his access to women and communications devices.

The 23-year-old had a fascination with the “taboo” but breached the trust of the girl’s parents, a court heard.

Teachers noticed how the girl had gone from being happy and sociable to withdrawn and upset.

She eventually admitted to her mother what had been happening, and she is now “not the girl she once was”.

Durdle admitted his sick crimes and at Lewes Crown Court Her Honour Judge Janet Waddicor imposed a ten-month suspended sentence as the defendant is undergoing rehabilitation for sex offenders.

Rowan Jenkins, prosecuting, said the multiple incidents of sexual touching took place between May to August 2019.

He said Durdle’s behaviour was a serious breach of trust.

The girl’s mother said: “I will never forget the haunting words that came from my daughter. It fills me with chills.

“He has ripped our whole lives apart.

“I am eaten up with guilt that as a mother I was not there for her during these horrific acts.

“We feel trapped and want to wake up from this nightmare. We will all find it extremely hard to trust somebody.

“My innocent child’s life has changed from being happy to now being guarded and looking inward. She is not the girl she once was.”

Mr Jenkins said Durdle had denied having a wider sexual interest in children and shocked himself at how far he went to explore his “morbid curiosity” with the “taboo”.

Judge Waddicor said Durdle’s behaviour was “truly shocking”, in particular how he deceived those related to the girl.

The judge said the pervert had “betrayed” the trust of the girl and her family, and said similar cases can often lead to girls not being believed which can cause rifts and further harm.

“You are rightly disgusted by what you have done,” the judge said, and said that because he has taken responsibility and confessed to his behaviour, he is capable of being rehabilitated.

Durdle, of Queens Approach, Uckfield, was given a ten-month suspended sentence and was ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation sessions.

He must also complete the Horizon sex offender programme, and will be on the sex offenders register for ten years.

The court also imposed a ten year sexual harm prevention order to restrict Durdle’s access to children.

The chat in 2013 revealed how the now 46-year-old had incited the boy to perform sexual acts.

Fenton, formerly a toy shop worker, was caught out when a separate investigation found that his victim had downloaded indecent images of children.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had devices searched, and it revealed a Skype conversation with Fenton in 2013.

At Lewes Crown Court, Fenton admitted inciting a child under 16 into sexual activity and was given an eight-month suspended sentence.

At Lewes Crown Court, Fenton admitted inciting a child under 16 into sexual activity and was given an eight-month suspended sentence.

Edward Hand, prosecuting, said the boy would have been 14 at the time of the online chat.

Mr Hand said: “Some electronic devices were recovered and were examined. Police found Skype chats between this defendant and the then 14-year-old from 2013.

“It was a fairly short conversation, police carried out enquiries and identified an internet address used by the defendant.”

His Honour Judge Martin Huseyin said: “It is clear you were honest with the probation service about your sexual interest in those underage boys. There is evidence you are actively working on that. There have been no offences since 2013, when this offence took place.

His Honour Judge Martin Huseyin said: “It is clear you were honest with the probation service about your sexual interest in those underage boys. There is evidence you are actively working on that. There have been no offences since 2013, when this offence took place.

“There has been a long delay and this case has been hanging over you for a long time.”

Fenton, of Pondtail Avenue, Faygate, Horsham, was put under the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricts his access to children, and will be on the sex offenders register.

Both orders will last for ten years.

He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation sessions. He must also pay £300 court costs.