The 14-month-old girl had an inkling of the imminent sexual attack on her.

She tried desperately to crawl away from the man, but was grabbed by the legs and dragged across the bed so that the vile assault could begin, a Sydney court has been told.

She screamed and struggled in vain as her nappy was ripped off.

The toddler was one of eight victims molested by David Shane Whitby, who in July was found guilty of 120 child sex offences.