A PAEDOPHILE told detectives he was “slightly relieved”

when they arrested him on suspicion of abusing a child.

Gary Smith immediately confessed to the allegations and told officers he was brave enough to face up to the consequences of his actions.

The 35-year-old former civilian police worker wept in the dock at Teesside Crown Court yesterday as he was locked up for eight years for three counts of rape.

Smith repeatedly abused a child and carried out one of the attacks while his wife was in hospital about to give birth to their child, the court heard.

After his arrest, Smith, of Dawlish Close, Redcar, east Cleveland, was asked if he had raped the child, and replied: “Yes, I have.”

When asked how he felt about the allegations coming to light, he said: “Shocked that it came out; slightly relieved.

I am not proud of what I have done... quite scared of what I have done and amazed that I didn’t stop.

“I do not like keeping secrets, and for this to be out in the open, there was a small amount of relief.

“I always felt I am intelligent enough to know what I am doing was wrong, but I am also strong enough to know that I deserve to be punished.”

Robert Mochrie, in mitigation, said: “Throughout that interview, he conveyed his unequivocal regret and remorse.”

Mr Mochrie said Smith should be given credit for immediately indicating his guilt, which meant his victim did not have to give evidence.

Smith was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Joseph Spencer, prosecuting, said Smith’s victim confided in friends, and a parent of one of them told the youngster’s mother.

In interview, Smith, who also worked for a High Street electronics retailer in Hartlepool, accepted what he had done was horrific.