32 years for twisted blackmailer whose victims live in hell

Philip Parker QC branded him an “internet highwayman” who targeted 46 victims.

“You wanted to assume total control over your victims,” he said. “Your behaviour was cunning, persistent, manipulative and cruel.”

He added: “As for your equally extraordinary sexual offending – no one who knew you...had an inkling of what you were doing below the surface.”

Anguish

Referring to the victims, he said: “The damage is ongoing.

“For these individuals it will never end, knowing the abuse caused by you still exists in other unknown persons’ computers.”

The judge said Falder was dangerous and he will spend six years on licence when he leaves prison.

He said: “These sentencing remarks under-play your relentless, obsessive desire to continue committing offences.” Cambridge university said it was “appalled” at the crimes and is now looking at stripping Falder of his qualifications.

The unprecedented operation to catch Falder, who used specialist software to hide his online accounts, was aided by Britain’s GCHQ spy centre, the United States Homeland Security Department and law enforcement bodies in Israel and Australia.

Falder, of Birmingham, committed his offences over nearly 10 years.

His long-term girlfriend is said to be “standing by” him and the judge said his parents would support him “on release”, although he will not be eligible for parole until he is 50.

National Crime Agency senior investigator Matt Sutton said: “I’ve never come across an offender whose sole motivation was to inflict such profound anguish and pain. Falder revelled in it.”