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A rapist who filmed his sex attacks for a hidden collection of depraved videos at his farmhouse has been jailed for 22 years.

Police found hundreds of home-made rape tapes carpenter Martin McDonald, 53, had made of his attacks on a schoolgirl.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how McDonald used the girl as a sex object - repeatedly raping and indecently assaulting for more than 15 years.

Police found the collection of videos he kept hidden in an outbuilding at his farm at Bettws, Newport .

McDonald was finally caught after another girl complained to her father after he had approached her.

In a victim impact statement the girl, now in her 30s, said McDonald took away her childhood and her innocence and she still has nightmares and calls out in her sleep.

McDonald pleaded guilty to six sample charges of rape, nine of indecent assault with a child, assault and grievous bodily harm, making indecent images of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images.

'You pose a serious risk'

McDonald, whose current address was given as Mill Heath, Bettws, was not represented in court after sacking his law team.

Judge Tom Crowther QC told him: “She was a child you warped and twisted to your desire.

“You are a dyed-in-the-wool paedophile whose sexual interest in children has not abated and you pose a serious risk.”

The judge ordered that McDonald serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before applying for parole instead of the usual half and barred him from having contact with children under 16 when he is released.

He praised the woman from having “emerged from her ordeal with courage”.

Thousands of DVDs and videos recovered

Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent Steve Corcoran said: “This investigation uncovered the worst kinds of abuse over a protracted period believed to be 15 to 20 years in total.

“Thousands of DVDs and videos were recovered and had to be viewed in order for us to present a full file of evidence to the courts.

“It is only right that this individual gets a custodial sentence and is taken off the streets to ensure he can’t abuse anyone else.

“We can never fully understand the effect this horrific abuse has had on the victim, although she is now receiving the support she needs from us and other agencies to ensure she can live her life as best she can.

“We would like to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forward and reporting the abuse.”