Matthew Falder has been jailed for 32 years following a four-year, worldwide investigation into the dark web paedophile that involved security services from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Europe.

He is 29 and a Cambridge graduate from Edgbaston, Birmingham.

His Twitter feed revealed a love of dinosaurs, baking and table-tennis. But behind the scenes, he operated under anonymous online usernames to share videos and images of paedophilia

Image source, National Crime Agency

Police said the 29-year-old simply enjoyed inflicting pain, while officers at the National Crime Agency (NCA) described him as one of the most prolific and depraved offenders they had ever encountered.

The emergency services are dealing with an incident on the tracks between Cheltenham Spa and Birmingham New Street.

As a result, trains between these stations may be cancelled or delayed with disruption lasting until 13.00 GMT.

Matthew Falder was working as a researcher at the University of Birmingham when his campaign of depravity began to unravel - he's been jailed today for 32 years for a raft of offences that have staggered his investigators in their scope and scale.

At an earlier hearing he had admitted offences ranging from making indecent images of children, possession of a paedophile manual, possession of extreme pornography, 10 counts of voyeurism, more than a dozen charges of blackmail, malicious communication and 23 charges of fraud by representation.

In another hearing a court heard how he fitted secret cameras in a public toilet for sexual gratification and forced a victim to lick toilet seats and eat dog food. He also distributed images on websites known to be associated with paedophiles and those interested in "hurtcore"; material which depicts rape and abuse.

That hearing was told he was a "VIP member" of internet child sex abuse forums and posted messages on a child's bones being "slowly and deliberately broken", and abusing "a paralysed child".

Sima Kotecha
Midlands Correspondent, BBC News

Dark web paedophile Matthew Falder has been jailed for 32 years.

He is a manipulative and evil person whose prime motivation was power and control. He wanted his victims to feel embarrassed and humiliated.

His in-depth knowledge of the dark web meant he could post obscene photos in a space only visible to a restricted audience.

The National Crime Agency worked with its international partners to identify the man behind the pseudonyms - including "666devil" and "evilmind" - but it wasn't an easy investigation.

He managed to carry out his crimes for several years without detection.

His case raises further questions about how police can stay one step ahead of those with such an advanced technical knowledge that they're able to exploit the most vulnerable and expose them at extreme levels.

Dr Matthew Falder blackmailed victims into sending him horrific material which he put on the dark web.

Ahead of his sentencing today, Judge Philip Parker QC called Matthew Falder an internet highwayman with a lust to control other people.

At Birmingham Crown Court, the dark web paedophile was jailed for 32 years, having admitted at an earlier hearing 137 charges affecting 46 victims.

Image source, National Crime Agency

Falder distributed images on websites known to be associated with paedophiles and those interested in "hurtcore"; material which depicts rape and abuse.

Falder, 29, from Edgbaston, made people photograph themselves performing degrading acts and then blackmailed victims into sending him more material with the threat of sharing the images with people they knew.

The handwritten note told paramedics to "move your van from outside my house".

A university lecturer, described by a US Homeland Security investigator as "the worst child exploitation offender" he had ever seen on the internet, has been jailed for 32 years.

Falder, 29, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, admitted 137 charges at crown court in October, including encouraging the rape of a four-year-old boy.

The Cambridge graduate was working as a researcher at the University of Birmingham when he was arrested.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A clean up operation's under way following a fuel spillage on the A50 in Staffordshire.

The dual carriageway's closed westbound between the Little Chef roundabout at Uttoxeter and the BlytheBridge roundabout, external after about 400 litres of diesel leaked from an articulated lorry at about 07:00 this morning.

The road surface may have to be repaired following the incident.

Nicola Goodwin
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

A 31-year-old man has appeared in court charged with conspiracy to commit murder over the death of Robert Eacock.

Artaf Hussain, of Slater Street, Tipton, spoke only to confirm his name at Hereford Magistrates Court this morning.

Image source, Family handout

Robert Eacock died after a single stab wound to his leg in Hereford’s High Town in January.

Anthony Boyd from Willenhall has been charged with his murder and is due to appear in court again next month.

Mr Hussain is next due to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Scientists have taken the first steps towards what they say could become a new blood and urine test for autism.

The University of Warwick study tested children with and without the condition and found higher levels of protein damage in those with the disorder.

Image source, University of Warwick

Dr Naila Rabbani, who led the study, told the BBC the tests could ultimately be used by doctors to diagnose autism earlier in childhood by detecting these markers.

Shropshire Star

Here are some of the top stories on the Shropshire Star website:

• Telford parking enforcement set to be taken over by council, external
• How family turned around tragic death of son to help others, external
• Fresh plea to reroute HS2 construction traffic, external

Former football coach Barry Bennell will be sentenced later after being convicted of a series of sex offences against young players in his charge in the 1980s.

Image source, iStock

Bennell, 64, was found guilty last week of abusing 11 boys aged eight to 15 during his time as a coach at Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra.

It was the fourth time Bennell, who now uses the name Richard Jones, had been convicted of abusing boys.

He appeared via videolink for the trial but will be produced from custody to attend the sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court.

Tom Edwards
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Compensation claims for people who have fallen on pavements in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have cost more than £1m over the past five years.

A Freedom of Information Request by the BBC reveals the payouts which have been made to members of the public since 2012.

Image source, Getty Images

Only about 1 in 10 of the 400 claims were successful.

Herefordshire Council has given us a statement saying they have more than 450 miles of pavements to maintain and have spent "more than £150,000" on improving surfaces since 2012.

Worcestershire County Council, meanwhile, says it is investing record sums in pavements.

Police are searching for a man in Ross on Wye after a robbery at a travel agents on Saturday afternoon.

West Merica Police says , externala bearded man in his 40s, with an Eastern European or Middle Eastern accent, threatened people in Miles Morgan Travel in the town's Market Place.

He stole 715 Euros from the store, about £650.

Image source, Google

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke on Trent bus operator First says it has become the second in the Midlands to add contactless payment to the fleet.

Passengers will still be able to pay with cash but can also use a contactless debit or credit card.

Image source, TFL VISUAL IMAGE SERVICES

Express and Star

Among the stories on the Express and Star website today:

• Demand for action after another Walsall stabbing, external
• Police warn residents to secure homes after woman killed at Wolverhampton house, external
• Carillion collapse: Furious workers left out of money, external

BBC Radio Stoke

The former Crewe Alexandra youth football coach Barry Bennell found guilty of committing 50 sexual offences against 12 boys is due to be sentenced later today.

Bennell, who's now known as Richard Jones, abused boys over three decades at his home in Derbyshire and on football tours abroad.

BBC Midlands Today

Midlands Air Ambulance is taking delivery of a new £7m helicopter today.

Paid for entirely by public donations, it's the second to be wholly owned by the charity.

The mum of six-year-old Alfie Dingley who's been refused access to cannabis treatment for his violent seizures has vowed to carry on her fight.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Hannah Deacon said she would like to meet with government ministers to explain her situation in person.

Requests for a medical cannabis licence have been denied by the Home Office which said it recognised that people with chronic pain and debilitating illnesses were "looking to alleviate their symptoms".

A spokesperson added: "However, it is important that medicines are thoroughly tested to ensure they meet rigorous standards before being placed on the market, so that doctors and patients are assured of their efficacy, quality and safety."