A "harmful" paedophile sexually assaulted a toddler in entrance of their guardian and was later present in possession of their underwear.
Jamie Topham, 42, who has a "important historical past of sexual offending", sexually assaulted the baby in September, 2021, whereas the teenager's guardian was in the identical room.
When the shocked guardian noticed what was happening, they took a photograph for proof and later reported him to police, Chronicle Reside stories.
When Topham, from Blyth, was arrested, police found three indecent photographs on his cell phone, which he had taken himself. The kid's underwear was additionally present in his room.
Topham appeared at Newcastle Crown Court docket, through video hyperlink from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for sexual assault of a kid below the age of 13, breach of a sexual offence prevention order, and taking indecent photographs of youngsters. He pleaded responsible to the costs.
The court docket heard that Topham had earlier convictions for baby intercourse offences and had been given a 3 yr neighborhood order after being present in possession of tons of of indecent photographs.
He was later present in possession of extra photographs and was given a suspended sentence and made topic of a ten yr sexual offence prevention order - which was lively on the time of his offending final yr.
Annie Richardson, prosecuting, mentioned Topham had change into acquainted with a household, who had no concept about his sexual offence historical past and convictions.
In some unspecified time in the future in September, final yr, Topham had drank as much as seven cans of lager and was with family members. The court docket heard he was "considerably drunk".
Ms Richardson mentioned that Topham then put his arm round a toddler, which the guardian - who was in the identical room - discovered "uncommon".
Topham then sexually assaulted the kid, main the shocked guardian to shortly take a photograph of what was occurring for proof. Topham was then kicked out of the home and was arrested that night time.
Ms Richardson mentioned: "His room was searched and kid's underwear was discovered, which belonged to the kid. Police additionally seized his cell phone and examined it."
Officers found three indecent photographs of youngsters, which Topham had taken himself on the cellphone.
Mr Fish, defending Topham, mentioned: "The defendant is practical and accepts that he'll obtain a direct custodial sentence. He has demonstrated a major degree of perception and acknowledges he has an issue.
He isn't a defendant who's in denial." Mr Fish added that Topham has "lots of distorted considering and attitudes".
Sentencing Topham, Decide Adams, mentioned he had a "important historical past of sexual offending". He mentioned: "You admit a sexual attraction to youngsters and for my part you might be clearly harmful."
The decide gave Topham an prolonged jail sentence of eight years and two months. An indefinite sexual hurt prevention order was additionally made and he will likely be on the intercourse offender's register indefinitely.
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