A PREDATORY paedophile who abused and photographed a string of young girls in a ‘campaign of depravity’ has been told by top judges he was lucky to avoid a life sentence.

An Appeal Court judge said Barry Mark Eves’ crimes were ‘about as bad a case of grooming and abuse as it is possible to imagine’.

Eves, 63, of Ramsey Avenue, Bacup, admitted sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, indecency with a child, indecent assault, and making, possessing and taking indecent photographs of children.

But, despite a crown court judge finding he was ‘dangerous’, Eves avoided an indefinite sentence because of the date of his offending.

He was instead jailed for 14 years at Burnley Crown Court in February.

This week claims by Eves' lawyers that the 14-year term was ‘manifestly excessive’ were thrown out by three senior judges at London's Court of Appeal, who said he was fortunate not to be handed a discretionary life term.

Mr Justice Griffith Williams, sitting with Lord Justice Leveson and Mrs Justice Nicola Davies, told the court the offences happened over a number of years and involved at least four young girls.

Comments unavailable on this story for legal reasons.