A brother and sister who took pictures of each other molesting and raping children during a horrifying campaign of sexual abuse have been jailed for a total of 38 years.
Emily Thomson, 18, fell "in love" with her half-brother Matthew David Thatcher, 26, and helped him to prey on three young victims who cried "like they could not breathe" while they were subjected to repeated sex attacks in Wales.
The pair, from Neath, took hundreds of photographs as they abused the children and shared graphic messages with each other and Mandy Wright, 28.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Thomson was "blinded with her infatuation" of Thatcher and "did not view him as a relative", according to Wales Online.
The three child abusers were reported to police after Thatcher arranged to meet a woman posing as a 14-year-old on Facebook after exchanging sexual messages.
South Wales Police officers discovered a stash of hundreds of indecent images of children taken by the trio, including dozens involving the most serious category A abuse.
They admitted 36 counts involving the sexual abuse of three victims under 16 years old and were jailed at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday.
"The images and messages showed a careless disregard for the welfare of the children," said Judge Eleri Rees.
"[Thatcher] descended into the darkest of places.
"He discovered that he was capable of doing the most dreadful things.
"I would like to take this opportunity to publicly commend the bravery of the victims in this case - they have experienced things which nobody should have to endure."
DCI Thomas added that the sentencing will "in some way" help the victims "move forward with their lives".
She added: "This case really is proof that reporting suspicions and concerns to the police, the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, or to organisations such as the NSPCC can help to put an immediate end to the suffering endured by our most vulnerable individuals, and ensure that those behind the abuse are put behind bars where they can no longer offend."
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