A MAN who filmed himself raping a child and then shared the footage online has received an extended 26-year prison sentence.

Keith Alfred Jacobs took other images of himself abusing the “utterly defenceless” victim, which he also distributed for viewing by like-minded individuals round the world.

But, Durham Crown Court heard it was as a result of the images coming to light in Toronto, Canada, that police in the UK were alerted.

Extensive inquiries, including use of geolocation research, led Durham Police to trace the source of the footage and officers called at Jacobs’ former home in Shotton Colliery.

His phone was seized and the contents checked, revealing the disturbing footage among further indecent images of other children which Jacobs downloaded himself from the internet.

When initially questioned after the discovery of just one of his images, he tried to minimise his activity, passing it off as, “a moment of madness”, but further footage was unearthed by a forensic examiner, who described it as the worst such material he had come across in his role.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said a gold ring worn by Jacobs on the footage he filmed, which he later gave away to try to hide the incriminating evidence, linked him to the crimes.

Mr Baker said although Jacobs made some initial denials over the full extent of his actions, he admitted offences of rape and two other sexual offences, plus making, possessing and distributing indecent images of a child at previous hearings.

The court heard that a psychiatrist who examined the 57-year-old defendant, of Heddon View, Ryton, Gateshead, described him as having a borderline personality disorder or a narcissistic personality disorder.

But Jacobs was also considered to pose a high risk of causing further significant harm to children in the future.

Will Byrne, for Jacobs, said there was little he could say by way of mitigation as the defendant, “accepts that this is undoubtedly criminality of the utmost gravity.”

Yet, Mr Byrne said that having reached the age of 57, Jacobs only has two other unrelated offences on his record, neither of a similar nature.

Judge Christopher Prince said: “Not only did you commit these serious offences against a child, but you recorded what you did and uploaded these films, so others could view them.”

Reading from the psychiatric report, the judge told Jacobs: “You have cunning, deceitfulness as well as a degree of superficiality.”

As a determinate extended sentence, Jacobs must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial element before he can be considered for parole, and will then only be released if the Parole Board no longer consider him a risk.

Whenever he is released he will be under scrutiny during a six-year licence period.

He will also be subject to notification as a sex offender for life.

Judge Prince made a judicial commendation for the “meticulous and tenacious” investigative work in the “complex and protracted” inquiry, by Detective Sergeants Tony Elliott, Joanne Godber and forensic examiner Adam Grundy, of Durham Police.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Sgt Elliott said: “This was an extremely challenging and upsetting investigation which was one of the worst cases of child abuse I have ever seen.

“Jacobs is an evil predator who targeted the vulnerable. I am pleased that he will now spend a significant length of time behind bars and hope he uses that time to reflect on the impact of his actions.

“I also hope today’s sentence shows that sexual abuse against anyone in County Durham and Darlington will not be tolerated, and we will go to great lengths to thoroughly investigate offences and bring those who commit these horrific crimes to justice.

“The victim in this case has been safeguarded and will receive ongoing support to help them come to terms with their abuse.”

A spokesperson for the children’s charity the NSPCC said: “Child sexual abuse can have devastating and long-lasting effects and it is imperative that victims are given all the support they need to move forward in their lives.”