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A nursery worker has become Britain's youngest female convicted paedophile after admitting sexually assaulting and taking indecent images of toddlers.

Sophie Elms, 18, pleaded guilty to 16 charges against two young children, aged three and two.

The charges - which include penetration, sexual assault and taking and distributing indecent photographs of children - make her the country's youngest named female paedophile.

The teen, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was 17 when she committed the offences.

She worked at a local nursery but police have previously confirmed that none of the alleged offences are said to have happened at the childcare facility.

Elms pleaded guilty to penetrating the two-year-old with her tongue, and the three-year-old with her fingers, between December 1, 2016, and March 11, 2018.

(Image: Tom Wren SWNS.com)

(Image: Facebook)

During the same dates, Elms also pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault – one against each of the youngsters – in which she intentionally indecently touched them.

Also between December 1, 2016 and March 11, 2018, it was heard that Elms committed four offences of taking indecent photographs of children.

These included two category A photographs, four category B photographs, and one category C photograph.

And between January 1, 2016, and March 11, 2018, Elms committed six offences of distributing indecent photographs of children.

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These included three category A photographs, four category B photographs, and three category C photographs.

(Image: Tom Wren SWNS.com) (Image: Facebook)

Elms also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images showing a person performing active intercourse or oral sex with an animal, between January 1, 2016, and March 11, 2018.

Defending Elms, Mr Chris Smyth described the case as “highly unusual”, saying: “Miss Elms was only 17 herself at the time when the offences occurred."

Miss Elms was remanded in custody until her sentencing hearing.

Judge Robert Pawson said: “You have pleaded guilty to what I suspect you fully understand are extremely serious charges.

“I remand you into custody on the basis of fears for your own safety. Your sentencing will take place on January 4.

“Until that time, my strongest advice to you is that you avoid using social media for some time to come.

“You are very unlikely to make things better for your victims and their families by posting on social media, and you are very unlikely to make things better for yourself.”