Imprisoned paedophile kept video abuse diary

A man who kept a video library of a campaign of sex attacks on children as young as three years old, racking up 89 separate offences, has been jailed for life.

Anthony Barron was given a minimum term of nine years before he can apply for parole and must spend his life on the sex offenders' register.

Judge Julian Hall, sentencing Barron at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, said that the offences were "as serious as I think I have ever come across".

The 54-year-old grandfather had not, said Judge Hall, demonstrated "a hint of sympathy" for his victims who he treated "as if they were toys". He abused 11 children including two young sisters over a period of nine years after befriending their parents.

He kept a stash of children's toys at his Wantage, Oxfordshire, home to lure the children to his house where he would video the sexual abuse. Barron pleaded guilty to 87 charges including 27 indecent assaults, 11 sexual assaults, three attempted rapes and one assault by penetration.