A blackmailing paedophile who threatened some of his child victims to send him explicit images is behind bars awaiting sentence early next year.

It took a jury at Durham Crown Court just 𝟏𝟏 minutes to find Mark Dodds guilty of several sexual offences involving children.

The 38-year-old defendant, from Spennymoor, physically and emotionally abused a large number of children between the ages of eight and 15 over a ten-year period.

He often blackmailed them if they refused to send him naked images or perform sexual acts during the online contact.

(Image: The Northern Echo) His offending came to light when Durham Police was notified by another police force that he was having sexual contact over Snapchat with a 12-year-old child.

Using his Snapchat account, Dodds incited the victim to carry out sexual acts while on live video calls to the complainant.

He recorded the calls without the victim’s knowledge and threatened to distribute the footage if they did not send him more.

During the inquiry, detectives discovered Dodds had incited numerous girls from across the UK and the US to perform depraved sexual acts upon themselves online, recording them for his own sexual gratification, as well as distributing the material to other like-minded individuals online.

Following a review of his devices, it also became clear that he had sexually assaulted one of his victims six times and had recorded the offences on his mobile phone.

Thousands of indecent images in all three categories of severity were also recovered from his devices.

Bishop Auckland CID, worked with the force’s Safeguarding team and Victim Identification officer Laura Robinson, and they were able to identify the victim in the footage and immediately put safeguarding measures in place to protect her.

Police attended Dodds’ address to arrest him for the multitude of offences, but as they arrived at his flat in Spennymoor, he was naked, live streaming indecent images of children on his laptop in his living room.

After refusing police entry, resisting arrest and assaulting an officer, Dodds was eventually detained and placed in handcuffs while officers read out the offences for which he was arrested.

Prior to trial, the 38-year-old plead guilty to 58 offences, which included sexual communication with children, blackmail and taking, possessing and distributing indecent images of children, plus assault on an emergency worker.

He plead not guilty to six counts of sexual assaults on a child.  

Following a three-day trial at the court last week, in which the victim provided evidence, it took jury members just 11 minutes to find him guilty of all six counts on Friday (October 4).

Throughout the trial, it was noted that Dodds would stare at officers in an attempt to intimidate them.

Dodds, of Heather Grove, was remanded into custody by Recorder Tom Moran, who will pass sentence on him, at Newcastle Crown Court, on January 6.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Following the trial, Detective Sergeant Lorraine Medd, who led the investigation, said: “This was a distressing and lengthy investigation, drawing together evidence from a number of devices and victims.

“Dodds subjected several vulnerable children to multiple forms of sexual abuse, robbing them of their childhood and leaving them with emotional scars which they may never truly recover from.

“I want to highlight the courage shown by the victim, who was forced to relive the abuse and provide evidence.

“Their strength to stand up to Dodds is commendable.

“Alongside this, I would like to thank the investigation team who worked relentlessly and tirelessly to safeguard children and to bring Mark Dodds to justice.

“I am delighted that the jury returned the verdict so quickly, ultimately protecting further children from becoming victims.

“I hope this result will allow the children to close this chapter of their lives and start their healing journey.”

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Newton Aycliffe man groomed young girl into sex acts

County Durham man, 22, branded 'danger to teenage girls'

Pervert from Durham who abused teenage girl had 15,000 sick pictures

Subscribe to The Northern Echo now, by clicking here

Reports of suspected abuse or concerns can be made to Durham Police by calling 101, or 999 if life is in immediate danger.

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on (0800) 555111.

Concerns can also be reported to Durham County Council, on (03000) 267979, or Darlington Borough Council, on (01325) 406222.