ON the surface, Dominic McCallan was man the community felt it could trust.

Passing himself off as a teacher, judo instructor, first-aid inspector and outdoor specialist, he came across as a tireless worker for children.

He also set up filming and photographic sessions on the pretext of auditioning for children's television programmes.

Studying for a BA in Education at Sunderland University, McCallan had been a special constable for six years until his resignation in September 1997.

But the facade he had created proved a squalid sham - as parents and children were to discover to their cost.

The black belt he wore was bogus. He had no qualifications to teach judo or first-aid, or to lead young people in any outdoor activities. Instead, he was using his position to gain access to young girls and abuse them.

Detective Inspector Neil Redhead, who led the investigation, said McCallan's behaviour had all the hallmarks of a "case study paedophile".

"We know he used a tissue of lies and web of deceit to win over the parents," he said.

"He created a high level of trust and credibility within the community to give him access to children."

McCallan's scheming even included organising trips to EuroDisney, where he took the opportunity to abuse girls.

Holidays were planned with military precision, right down to ensuring his prospective victim sat next to him on the plane out.

On one occasion, in his police uniform, he visited the parents of a budding ten-year-old actress to try to get her to join his judo club.

Parents of two of his victims told The Northern Echo how they came to learn the shocking reality.

The mother of one ten-year-old victim said: "We trusted him, there was nothing to arouse our suspicions."

But another victim's mother said: "When I saw him, I did not like him and told my daughter to watch him and make sure he did not touch her, not knowing he already had."

Since the rape, her daughter has suffered nightmares and become withdrawn from her friends."

Det Insp Redhead warned other parents: "People need to have a healthy suspicion of people who go off with their children or take photographs of them, for whatever seemingly-innocent purpose.

"There is certainly no reason why parents should not check the credentials of those whose care they have put their children in, and then double-check with local and national organisations involved."