A TEENAGE girl who carried out serious sexual assaults on two toddlers has been remanded in custody by a judge - because of fears for her safety if she remains on bail.

As well as abusing the two youngsters Sophie Elms also took and distributed indecent images of what she was doing.

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to committing the serious sex attacks on the two and three-year-olds.

The offences took place between the start of December 2016 and March 11 this year. Elms, who gave the court an address in Station Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, also admitted taking indecent images of children during that time.

She also accepted she had distributed at least 12 pictures of child abuse and also possessed a quantity of extreme pornography involving animals.

After admitting the matters before a judge at Swindon Crown Court, Chris Smyth, defending, said his client did not seek bail.

Although she had been on bail since her arrest he said she was a ‘virtual prisoner at home’ as a result of feelings over what she had done.

He said that, for her own safety, she should be remanded in custody while reports are prepared on her.

Mr Smyth said he would be seeking a psychological assessment of his client, who was still 17 when some of the most serious offending took place.

The court heard she was caught after a larger paedophile ring in the West Midlands was cracked.

A connection was found between her devices and those of one of the men arrested and police moved in to investigate her.

Mr Smyth said the man had encouraged his client to carry out the offences and send the material.

Elms admitted four counts of sexual assault, four of taking and six of distributing indecent images of children and two of possessing extreme pornography.

Judge Robert Pawson adjourned the case to January 4, remanded her in custody until then and told her she must register as a sex offender.

He said “You have pleaded guilty to what I expect you understand are extremely serious charges.

“I am going to remand you in custody at effectively your request on the basis of your own safety.

“There has also got to be a psychologist’s report.”