Christopher Burford 46

Description

Christopher Burford's despicable crime was discovered by police investigating the downloading of indecent images

A man photographed himself as he sexually abused and assaulted a baby. Christopher Burford's vile activities were uncovered by police who initially suspected he had been downloading indecent images from the internet and seized his mobile phone for analysis. The 45-year-old has now been given extended sentence as a dangerous offender.

Swansea Crown Court heard that, acting on intelligence, officers attended Burford's house in Pontneddfechan at the top of the Neath Valley in February this year. Ian Wright, prosecuting, said the defendant's phones were subject to an on-the-spot examination and evidence of indecent material was found. The defendant was arrested and interviewed and told officers that he had met a man on an adult swinging website who disclosed sexual offending and claimed he had then begun to carry out an investigation into paedophiles in the area because he wanted to keep children safe. Burford was released on bail while a full digital analysis of his phone was carried out.

The court heard a total of 1,032 images of children being sexually abused were discovered on Burford's Samsung device and while most had been downloaded from the internet it appeared some had been taken by the defendant himself. Further work was done on the phone and it emerged that more than 100 pictures showing a baby being sexually assaulted had been taken by the defendant. Police were subsequently able to identify the child involved. Mr Wright said it was not possible to establish the dates when Burford had taken the pictures. The defendant was interviewed for a second time following the discovery that he had taken some of the photos and this time he answered "no comment" to all questions asked.

Burford, aged 45, of Dinas Street, Pontneddfechan, Glynneath, admitted four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, the taking of indecent images of Category A, Category B, and Category C, and possession of indecent images. He has no previous convictions. Read about a 63-year-old man with an "unhealthy interest in young girls" sent teens vile messages.

Dyfed Thomas, for Burford, said the best mitigation he could put before the court were the defendant's guilty pleas though he acknowledged they had been entered in the face of "overwhelming" evidence of guilt. He said while the pre-sentence report into Burford questioned his remorse for what he had done he was instructed that his client was genuinely remorseful.

Judge Geraint Walters said Burford had abused a "helpless" baby and said while the courts deal with cases of sexual offending every day some stand out due to the nature of the offending and this was just such a case. He said he was satisfied the defendant should be categorised as a dangerous offender in meaning of the relevant legislation and therefore made the subject of an extended sentence.

Burford was given an 18-year extended sentence comprising 12 years in prison followed by a six-year extended licence period. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of his sentence before he can apply for release but it will be for the Parole Board to determine when he is safe to be let out and on what conditions. The defendant will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.