A vile police officer was jailed for 16 years for raping a baby – after being caught by his own colleagues.
PC Dean Roberts, 48, filmed himself abusing the “helpless” infant – and sent the footage to other paedophiles on a messaging app.
He was caught after another paedophile was arrested – and detectives traced child abuse footage back to their own colleague Roberts.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the pair planned to jointly abuse children and would share footage of their crimes.
Roberts, a former officer with South Wales Police, admitted rape, sexual assault of a child, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.
The mother of Roberts’ victim told the court: “I can never forget the knock on my door and my whole world just falling apart.
“It was just like being hit by a bus. We will always have to live with the consequences.”
Judge Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees QC, handed Roberts a 16-year extended sentence and told him he must serve at least 12 years behind bars.
She said: “The victim was particularly vulnerable because of her extremely young age.
“She was helpless to defend herself although the footage indicates she was awake and in real discomfort.”
His accomplice, lawyer John Guess, of Cardiff, was earlier jailed for 26 years for sex offences against children.
Speaking after the sentences of Roberts and Guess, Detective Superintendent Wendy Gunney said: “The two people responsible for the appalling abuse of a number of very young children have now been brought to justice.
“The investigation uncovered extremely disturbing child abuse evidence.
“The safeguarding of children has been an absolute priority for the investigation team.
“Today’s sentence does not mark the end of our investigations and we will work tirelessly to identify any other victims or witnesses and seek the justice they deserve.”
