A “predatory paedophile” who “played on his image as a rapper” to groom girls as young as 14 before sleeping with them has been locked up.

Daniel Rodriguez, 28, who raps under the name of Grimey D, would make contact with his victims through Facebook, Instagram and BlackBerry Messenger, pay them compliments about their appearance and tell them he loved them.

He would then invite them to his home in Thrasher Close, off Stean Street, Haggerston, where he filmed himself having sex with his victims.

The offences initially came to light during the course of a separate investigation, and police believe there could be more than six victims they already know.

Detectives examining the phone of a 14-year-old girl found messages suggesting she was in a sexual relationship with Rodriguez, and swooped to arrest him last August on suspicion of sexual activity with a child.

His phone was confiscated and police found sexually explicit chats and searches for indecent images of children.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to sexual activity with children, sexual assault and creating anindecent image of children, and was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court today.

Det Const Jon Knox, from the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, said: “Rodriguez is a dangerous and predatory paedophile targeting and exploiting young, vulnerable girls.

“He played on his image as a rapper. His victims were fearful of him and believed they would be hurt if they spoke to anyone in authority.

“Hopefully this sentence will help them rebuild their lives and they will see that he cannot hurt them any more.”

He urged any other girls who believe they may have been a victim of Rodriguez to contact police.

Det Supt John Macdonald said Rodriguez’ pattern of online grooming was something police were seeing more and more.

“Rodriguez’ exploitation and targeting of young girls was disgusting,” he said.

“Social media enables people who want to have sex with children to approach scores if not hundreds of them online in an attempt to meet up.

“The Met Police will do its utmost to prosecute offenders and protect every child identified as at risk, but we need to raise awareness among both children and parents about online dangers so they can make informed decisions about who to meet via social media.”