'Monster' who filmed himself raping a child jailed

A "monstrous" paedophile who repeatedly filmed himself raping a child has been jailed for 21 years.

George Bellwood, 32, from Darlington, would give the victim his phone as a form of distraction whilst he carried out his horrific sex acts over a number of years, Durham Crown Court heard.

He also amassed a collection of thousands of indecent images of children, which he would share with other paedophiles online.

Bellwood initially denied any wrongdoing, causing further trauma to his victim, before eventually admitting 19 offences - including raping a child under 13 years old.

Judge Joanne Kidd said Bellwood, of Zetland Street, had carried out the "most heinous, monstrous and violent abuse" during a "campaign of rape".

The victim said they had feared what would happen if they told Bellwood to stop, with the judge observing how the victim's "tears caused no reflection or deterrent" to the paedophile's actions.

Bellwood's crimes came to light after the child told a teacher what had been going on, prosecutor Jonathan Walker said - with the young victim telling the teacher they wanted to kill themselves.

In a statement read to the court, the victim's mother said Bellwood had denied his victim their childhood, inflicting on the child devastating and extreme physical and emotional trauma, which would probably remain with them throughout their life.

"I have lost my happy child," the woman said.

She added: "In order to keep children safe [Bellwood] should serve as long as possible.

"He clearly doesn't feel any remorse for his actions."

She said Bellow also denied the offences for many months causing further distress to the victim, who was repeatedly called on to relate what had happened to police and lawyers.

Judge Kidd described Bellwood's decision not to initially admit the offences, and the obvious "debilitating trauma" that his actions had caused his victim, as "cynical", showing a "level of arrogance [and] lack of remorse".

After his arrest, police found thousands of indecent images on Bellwood's phone, including 1,043 photos and videos in the most serious category, Mr Walker said.

Bellwood also sent indecent images to other paedophiles whom he had met online including a group on a social media app which contained 146 people, the court heard.

Bellwood's barrister Robert Mochrie, said he could offer no mitigation for the perpetrator's "truly abhorrent behaviour".

Judge Kidd said Bellwood must serve an additional four years on extended licence after the conclusion of his prison sentence.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Melissa Lamb, from Durham Police, said it was a "deeply upsetting" case and Bellwood's crimes were "unimaginable".

She praised the victim's bravery for reporting Bellwood, whom she labelled "extremely dangerous".

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