A PAEDOPHILE who filmed himself sexually abusing children as young as 12 months was jailed for ten years yesterday.

Brian Edwards, also known as Brian Maynard, preyed on two boys, aged four and 12 months, and a girl of two.

The 43-year-old told police the two-year-old was his "favourite" and as well as videoing himself, he posted an indecent photograph of the youngster on the Internet.

The shocking extent of his perversion came to light after 118 images of children were discovered on his computer, Penny Moreland, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court.

Miss Moreland said: "In police interview, he said he was abused as a child and wished to understand the motives of those who carried out abuse.

"He accessed paedophile chatrooms where like-minded people discuss their interest.

"He said he had posted indecent photos of chidren on the Internet about 15 times, since 1998, showing girls aged about 12 in erotic poses.

"He was then asked if he wished to wipe the slate clean and went on to make a series of admissions."

The video images of him abusing the children have been destroyed but the picture of the two-year-old which was posted on the web has proved impossible to remove, the court heard.

Judge Beatrice Bolton said that after serving the ten-year sentence, Edwards should remain on licence for five years.

The judge also made an indefinite restraining order which prevents him even being in the same room as a child under 16. He will also be registerd as a sex offender for life.

Judge Bolton said she "cannot imagine" the strain of the parents of the two-year-old knowing there are indecent images of their daughter on the Internet.

Edwards, of Charles Street, Boldon Colliery, had a previous conviction for assault on a three-month-old baby and pleaded guilty to 14 offences.

They included distributing, taking, making and possessing indecent photos of children, gross indecency with a child and indecent assault.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Dave Ball said: "He is an articulate,intelligent man who over a period of time groomed and abused the trust of these children. He is one of the worse sex offenders I have come across."