A sexual predator from Dagenham who abused teenage girls – including while on a family holiday – has been jailed for seven and a half years.

A paedophile from Dagenham who sexually abused girls through blackmailing them after they had been persuaded to send intimate photos to him has been jailed.

Peter Michael Fisher, 20, used social media to lure his eight victims and gain their trust before coercing them into sending the images.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard despite being arrested and bailed after two victims came forward he continued with his abuse before he was rearrested and subsequently charged.

Between October 2016 and September last year Fisher travelled across the country to meet up with his victims, aged between 13 and 16, including while he was on holiday with his family in Great Yarmouth.

In one case he had sex with a 15-year-old, knowing she was underage.

He was arrested in August last year after two of his victims came forward and he was interviewed and bailed.

Despite being on bail he continued with his abuse and was rearrested in November and charged with 11 offences.

A further three charges were subsequently added.

Today he was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after previously pleading guilty to six counts of sexual communication with a child, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of malicious communication, one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act, and possession of indecent photographs of a child.

DC Steve Gradwell, from the Met’s Sexual Exploitation Team, described Fisher as a ‘prolific sexual offender’ and said there could be other victims out there.

He added: “I would like to praise the children for their courage in speaking to officers and providing vital evidence.

“Many of them were victims of online sexual offences and did not recognise they were being abused. He used his social media profile to gain their trust and share intimate photos and then used those images to coerce his victims into sexual activity.

“My advice to any young person is, don’t share pictures online that you would find embarrassing if anyone else, such as friends or parents, were to see them, as you have no control over the images once sent.

“If you’re worried about someone sharing intimate pictures of you online please don’t let embarrassment stop you from contacting the police.”

If you’re a victim of Fisher you can call police on 020 8217 9817.

Abuse can also be reported online and advice can be found on the NSPCC website.

Fisher pleaded not guilty to two counts of malicious communication which will stay on file.