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A “depraved” former youth worker who encouraged the abuse of a young boy in America from his computer in Wales has been jailed.

Darren Williams, 44, admitted encouraging or assisting in the rape of a child and six counts of encouraging the distribution of indecent images of children.

Jeffrey Jones, defending, accepted: “These offences are clearly wicked, distasteful and depraved.”

The court heard Williams used a legitimate online conferencing platform called Zoom, which was “misused by paedophiles”.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell said a user could live stream footage of himself sexually abusing a child while others watched and commented via a live chat facility.

She said Williams employed user names including Andy, Proper Perv, Dirty B****** and Sleaze.

The court heard police identified users worldwide, including the United States and Canada.

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Prosecutors said the defendant logged in to Zoom on July 22, 2015 and watched live footage of a man known as Guy sexually abusing a five-year-old child.

Ms Newell said: “He was abusing the child for the entertainment of himself and other users.”

The court heard Williams said: “Do something to prove it’s live. Smack him. Get him to say hi.”

Later that day, the defendant watched two videos of children being raped, including a six-month-old baby.

Prosecutors said he asked if any other users had a sexual interest in babies and asked about their preferences for the ages of the victims.

Ms Newell told the court he commented: “This is f***ing porn.”

She said some of the children were “clearly” in physical distress.

The court heard Williams could be seen on his web cam performing a sex act on himself during several of the videos, which included Categories A, B and C.

On another occasion, Williams commented on live footage involving the sexual abuse of a baby: “I want to hear him cry.”

The defendant was arrested in December 2015 and his computer was seized.

Mr Jones said his client was a qualified youth worker and had worked with children and young people throughout his career.

He told the court Williams was “receptive” to treatment in prison.

The defence barrister added: “His guilty plea is tangible evidence of his regret. He knows his behaviour was wicked and he is ashamed.”

Williams, from Pen-Y-Werlod Road in Blackwood , pleaded guilty to seven counts.

Judge Eleri Rees noted aggravating factors included the age and vulnerability of the victims.

Williams was jailed for 10 years and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, meaning he will be banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Laura Tams, from the Crown Prosecution Service organised crime division, said the conviction was made possible through cooperation with authorities around the world.

She added: “Williams clearly took sadistic pleasure in the pain and horrendous sexual abuse being inflicted on very young children.

“By watching and encouraging the abuse from behind his computer screen, Williams was guilty of encouraging the rape thousands of miles away.”