'Merciless' leader of paedophile ring jailed for live streaming child abuse

The members of a paedophile ring who shared live videos of themselves abusing children have been jailed for 35 years.

Michael Emerton, 33, is believed to have been the ringleader of the group and contacted others by using Grindr.

The details of the case were so shocking that a judge claimed that the evidence had undermined his faith in humanity, adding that Emerton had ‘mercilessly exploited children’.

Now, Emerton has been jailed for nine life sentences after he was found guilty of 20 offences – including four counts of raping a child and three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activities.

Luton Crown Court heard how Emerton and members of his ring would share live video streams of children being abused.

As well as live-streaming the abuse, he reportedly met with other gang members to then have sex in front of children.

‘Even within this field of appalling and sickening abuse, there is from time to time a case which is so shocking that it undermines one’s faith in humanity. This is one such case’, Judge Michael Kay QC said.

‘Never before have I read a police summary of a case which begins with a warning that the reader should be very wary of the content due to the abhorrent nature of the offending.’

He also said that the children will have suffered severe psychological trauma and will face a lifetime of difficulties.

Other defendants in the case included 54-year-old Paul Stevens from St Albans.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape a child under 13 and conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child under 13. He was sentenced to 10 years with a five year licence extension.

Chief Inspector Dee Perkins said: ‘This was an extensive inquiry which resulted in the sharing of intelligence with more than 50 other law enforcement agencies. No stone has been left unturned in the search to identify and protect victims and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice.

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‘Emerton – the paedophile at the centre of this investigation – mercilessly exploited children for his own sexual gratification and for those other men who he met on line. The nine life sentences he has received reflects the disturbing nature of his actions.

‘Work is on-going to support the victims and make sure they have the best possible chance of a normal life ahead. I would like to pay tribute to their bravery throughout this process.’