A pensioner from Westminster has been jailed for life for raping a three-year-old boy his family trusted to babysit.

Barry John Britton, 66, of Westminster, befriended a family in the Westminster area in January this year and managed to gain their trust to the extent he was allowed to babysit their young son.

The toddler’s grandmother became concerned after he mentioned something to her by chance and police were then called on April 21.

Specialist officers acted immediately and arrested Britton. They then interviewed the boy and his family and seized evidence from Britton’s home.

Britton refused to co-operate with police but the evidence against him was sufficient for him to be charged. He then told police he wanted to change his plea to guilty while on remand.

The predator admitted to the oral rape of the boy on multiple occasions and to causing the boy to engage in penetrative sexual activity on more than one occasion.

He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of five years at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (July 17), was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life and was made a subject of a Sexual Offence Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Tom Haines, of the Met’s specialist sex offences and child abuse unit, said: “Barry John Britton is a predatory offender who befriended this family in order to abuse their child.

“Officers acted quickly and secured the evidence required to charge him with these serious offences.

“The family can now be assured that their son and other children are safe from this dangerous man and that he has been brought to justice.”