Matthew Falder: One of Britain's worst paedophiles WINS appeal to cut 32-year jail term
One of Britain's most prolific paedophiles who blackmailed a string of vulnerable victims has had his prison sentence reduced.
Matthew Falder was initially jailed for 32 years but today Court of Appeal judges reduced this by seven years to 25 instead.
Bespectacled Falder watched the proceedings via video link from prison.
The Cambridge graduate previously admitted 137 offences, including voyeurism, encouraging child rape, and sharing images showing the abuse of a newborn baby.
He was exposed following an international inquiry led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Falder, from Birmingham, committed his offences over nearly 10 years, manipulating victims "behind a computer screen" by duping them into providing nude and degrading images, as well as personal details.
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His barrister Andrew Smith QC told the court during the hearing today: "This was grave offending with undoubtedly profound consequences for those who were the victims of this applicant."
But he submitted that "the custodial element of 32 years imposed was manifestly excessive".
The decision to allow the sentence challenge was announced by Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice King and the Recorder of Winchester Judge Keith Cutler.
He said the court had concluded that the "appropriate" custodial term, taking into account credit for the guilty pleas, and "the principle of totality", was 25 years.
The 29-year-old, who gained a geophysics degree before going on to achieve both his masters and PhD, was arrested in June last year.
At least three teenagers tried to commit suicide after being entrapped online by the former public schoolboy, it was previously reported.
A court heard how one victim was ordered to eat dog food and lick a tampon as she was blackmailed by the depraved and controlling paedophile. He made another lick toilet seats as part of his sick demands.
He would prey on victims by responding to classified ads, often asking for work as dog-walkers or babysitters, on websites such as Gumtree.
And Falder led a "double life" as an academic researcher by day and a depraved abuser and blackmailer of children by night, prosecutors said.
He used his "evilmind" and "666devil" accounts on encrypted dark web forums to coerce, control and ultimately devastate his victims.
He led a "double life" as an academic researcher by day and a depraved abuser and blackmailer of children by night, prosecutors said (Image: SWNS.com)
Culled from Mirror