A PAEDOPHILE who was caged for 22 years after raping a teenage girl and encouraging her to become a child prostitute, has failed to get his sentence reduced.

Sean David Devereaux, 35, of Kendal, Purfleet, was jailed in March after being convicted of a string of sex crimes against the girl at Basildon Crown Court.

He appealed his sentence at the London Court of Appeal on Friday but three judges rejected his lawyers’ arguments and said Devereaux must complete his punishment.

The pervert was caught after the victim’s mother stumbled across internet chat logs between her and Devereaux.

It was then revealed that he had raped and indecently assaulted her, and used a fake internet identity to encourage her to become a prostitute.

He then photographed the girl as she had sex with men for money and posted the sick images on the internet where other sex offenders could view them.

Devereaux had shown a “high-level of predatory behaviour” and had accepted no responsibility for his actions, according to a pre-sentence report.

He was convicted of three counts of rape, attempted rape, four indecent assaults, sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in prostitution, and making indecent photos of a child.

Challenging his sentence in court, lawyers for the pervert claimed his overall term was too long as there was one victim, no violence, and for a time, the victim had been a willing participant.

But Mr Justice Roderick Evans said the paedophile had “corrupted” his victim to the extent that she was willing to have sex for money.

He added: “ We are unpersuaded that a term of 22 years in total is manifestly excessive, and, therefore, this renewed application is dismissed.”