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A teenager and her half-brother have been jailed following a horrific campaign of sexual abuse against children.

Emily Thomson, 18, who claims to have been “infatuated” with sibling Matthew David Thatcher, 26, targeted three children under the age of 16.

Another woman, Mandy Wright, 28, of Ely, Cardiff, was also jailed for her part in the crime which included possession of images of child sex abuse.

The three defendants admitted to 36 counts of sexual abuse relating to the three children and have been jailed for a total of 45 years for their sustained catalogue of abuse.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Thursday that Thatcher and Thomson took photographs of themselves sexually assaulting the children and sent graphic messages about their abuse - and discussed planning their next act of abuse.

Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees said: “The images and messages showed a careless disregard for the welfare of the children.”

The court heard that South Wales Police officers discovered hundreds of images of sexual abuse of children taken during the trio’s abuse, including dozens marked in the most extreme category – category A.

(Image: Gwent Police)

Speaking of Thatcher, of Ely, Cardiff, Recorder Rees added: “He descended into the darkest of places.

“He discovered that he was capable of doing the most dreadful things.

“He was caught up in something that he found very difficult to get out of.

(Image: Gwent Police)

“It was a dreadful thing that was taking place.”

Recorder Rees sentenced Thatcher to 26 years, Thomson to 12 years, and Wright to seven years, Walesonline has reported.

The harrowing abuse at one point caused the children to cry “like they could not breathe”. A medical examination of one of the young victims showed signs of “chronic sexual abuse”, the court heard.

(Image: Gwent Police)

The defence for Thomson, of Neath, said she was “blinded with her infatuation” of Thatcher and that she was in “love” with him and “did not view him as a relative”.

The trio’s sustained abuse came to light after Thatcher was caught trying to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old he had spoken to over Facebook.

Prosecutor Suzanne Thomas told the court that the messages became “sexual” and they arranged to meet up.

South Wales Police DCI Karen Thomas said: “Today, Matthew Thatcher, Emily Thomson, and Mandy Wright have been given long and deserved sentences for what are abhorrent crimes which have had a devastating impact upon their victims.

“Absorbing the detail and the nature of the abuse committed by these individuals has been harrowing for even the most experienced professionals involved in the investigation.

“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 said that the verdicts will hopefully allow the victims to “move forward with their lives”.

She added: “his 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.”