Paedophile's abuse was horrific, says detective

Police said Anthony Goodridge's abuse of children was "nothing short of horrific"

A convicted paedophile's abuse of children was "nothing short of horrific", a detective has said.

Det Con Molly Halksworth said Anthony Goodridge, 59, of Ramsden Square, Cambridge, had abused his victims' trust "in the worst possible way".

Goodridge has begun a 26-year jail sentence after admitting a string of child sex offences.

Police said he had sexually assaulted two "young girls", filmed another, and secretly recorded a fourth victim showering and getting changed.

Goodridge was jailed at a hearing in Peterborough Crown Court on 9 October after being arrested a year ago.

He had admitted a series of offences, including sexual assault on a girl, making an indecent image of a child, taking an indecent image of a child, and voyeurism, a court official said.

A judge also imposed a restraining order, which bars Goodridge from contacting his victims, and a sexual harm prevention order, which means his behaviour will be monitored.

'Full scale'

Det Con Halksworth, from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit, said: "Goodridge’s sexual abuse of his victims was nothing short of horrific; he abused their trust in the worst possible way.

"The full scale of his abuse only came to light when he was asked in interview if he had abused anyone else.

"What happened next, and the abuse he disclosed, is something hard to forget."

She added: "We are pleased Goodridge has now been brought to justice and we hope the sentence imposed gives his victims and their families some closure."