A paedophile filmed himself raping a young child then "boasted" about his sexual abuse online.
Ryan Hawkins, 29, raped one child and sexually assaulted another, which he later claimed was "a horrible f***ing mistake".
He shared a sick photo of one of his victims with a man he thought was another paedophile on the chat platform Kik Messenger.
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But his bragging and claim he intended to rape the child again led to his arrest, as he was actually talking to an undercover police officer.
Hawkins, of no fixed address but formerly of Southport, had suggested trading indecent images with the National Crime Agency officer.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Hawkins then sent a Category C photo he had taken of the child he said he'd raped.
Ben Jones, prosecuting, said he claimed he hadn't got "very far" trying to abuse another child, but planned to abuse the rape victim again.
Mr Jones said: "In the chat he also boasted about other extreme sexual activity with both children."
The court heard a decision was taken that the children were too young and it was not in their best interests for them to be interviewed by police, and medical examinations of the children didn't reveal any injuries, so it wasn't known whether or not this was just "boasting".
Hawkins was arrested at his home and his mobile phone was seized, which later revealed the video of him raping one child and indecent images of that victim.
When interviewed by police he accepted chatting about child abuse on Kik, under the username "BigLadUK6", and sending the photo.
However, at that stage he denied carrying out any abuse and claimed it was just "fantasy".
Mr Jones said following further disclosures made by the two victims, and the recovery of the 28-second Category A rape video on his phone, Hawkins was interviewed again.
He now admitted sexually abusing and raping the first child, but said he "never intended" to rape them and it wasn't planned, but admitted filming it.
Hawkins also then admitted sexually assaulting his second victim, by rubbing himself against that child, but said he didn't rape them.
The court heard an officer asked him if he had a sexual interest in children and how he viewed himself.
Hawkins replied: "I don't think so... I think I've made a horrible f***ing mistake."
He added: "I need help, I need to figure out what's going on."
Hawkins pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of making indecent images of a child, and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child.
The court heard he has no previous convictions.
Ken Heckle, defending, accepted his client's actions had "destroyed lives".
He said Hawkins' mum had written a letter to the court in which she said she wanted her son to get help.
Mr Heckle said Hawkins' family expressed "horror and shock at what happened" as a result of "not really knowing where this serious behaviour has come from".
He said Hawkins accepted in a pre-sentence report he was "driven through a desire for sexual gratification" and confessing to police meant his victims didn't have to give evidence or endure a trial.
The lawyer said Hawkins would undergo any treatment or courses asked of him and "as hollow as it may appear to be perhaps to others and others close to this case, it's a genuine remorseful statement".
The court heard a psychiatric report didn't reveal any mental health issues or personality disorders and Hawkins had cried when discussing the abuse.
Mr Heckle said: "Can the defendant account for his behaviour? No, he cannot. But he hopes to."
He added Hawkins had been "brutally honest" with a probation officer, saying "he didn't have the tools to stop... he was thankful effectively that he was caught".
Judge David Potter said Hawkins denied carrying out any sexual abuse in his first police interview "the examination of your phone proved otherwise".
He said: "You accept that your behaviour was for your own sexual gratification... but you yourself cannot identify why."
Judge Potter said: "The pre-sentence report identifies that you sought out child abuse content on the Kik platform, that you in filming your victim increased your exploitation and increased at the same time the power and control you had over your victim, and you failed to grasp the full gravity of what you knew to very wrong."
The judge said he took into account Hawkins' stated remorse, his early guilty plea and letter from his mother.
He said: "You know all too well, the shock, horror and disbelief that your behaviour has occasioned."
Judge Potter said Hawkins was dangerous and he would have jailed him for 18 years, but for his guilty plea, which entitled him to a reduction of one third.
He jailed him for 12 years, with an extended five years on licence, and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order for life.
Hawkins showed no emotion when he was sent down.
This type of sentence means he must serve at least two thirds of the custodial term - eight years - behind bars.
He will only be released before the end of the sentence if the Parole Board no longer considers him to be a risk.
Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801. In an emergency, always call 999.
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