A paedophile who raped a seven-year-old girl has failed in a bid to get his potentially life-long sentence overturned on appeal.

The man, in his 30s, from Epsom, Surrey, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made multiple films of himself abusing and raping his niece, which he stored on his computer.

He was caged indefinitely for public protection at Guildford Crown Court earlier this year and was ordered to serve at least five years and four months behind bars before he could even apply for parole.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to a catalogue of sex offences, including rape of a child under 13, 16 counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and three counts of sexual assault on a child under 13.

On July 13, his lawyers asked Lord Justice Aikens, Mr Justice Sweeney and Mr Justice Supperstone, sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, to overturn his open-ended sentence, arguing he had wrongly been classified as a "dangerous" offender.

The court heard that the man was trapped when police raided his house last year and found incriminating films of him abusing his victim stored on his computer.

They included footage of him raping the girl, bribing her with chocolate to fondle him, and tricking her whilst blindfolded into sucking his penis.

His legal team today argued that he ought to have his indefinite sentence quashed in light of the "remorse and motivation for change" he has shown since being put behind bars.

But, rejecting his appeal, Mr Justice Supperstone, said: "These were horrific offences.

"The offences against his seven-year-old niece amounted to a gross breach of trust.

"We have had regard to his progress in custody. However the imposition of an indeterminate sentence is fully justified in this case."