Matthew Falder: One of Britain's most prolific paedophiles jailed for 32 years after blackmailing children on dark web

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Time and again you ramped up the pressure.” open image in gallery Matthew Falder, an academic from Birmingham, was jailed for 32 years Birmingham Crown Court was told horrific details of Falder’s eight-year campaign of a “relentless, obsessive desire to continue committing offences”, which saw him encourage the rape of a four-year-old boy. “I’ve also never known such an extremely complex investigation with an offender who was technologically savvy and able to stay hidden in the darkest recesses of the dark web.” open image in gallery The computer in Falder’s Birmingham flat Prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe, from the Crown Prosecution Service’s International Justice and Organised Crime Division, said Falder’s use of encryption, technology and multiple identities showed “a high degree of sophistication and planning”. Javed Khan, the chief executive of Barnardo’s, said Falder’s sentence “sends a message to paedophiles that they will pay for their crimes” and will hopefully give victims the confidence to seek justice. A spokesperson for the NSPCC said Falder’s “despicable” abuse showed that behind every pornographic image including children “is a victim who has endured unimaginable pain and suffering”.