Cambridge University is considering stripping a paedophile of his academic qualifications after he was jailed for 32-years for conducting a campaign of appalling web based abuse against a string of vulnerable victims.

Dr Matthew Falder, 29, who obtained a masters degree and PhD from Cambridge, admitted blackmailing scores of men, women and children, into carrying out humiliating and degrading acts, which left three so traumatised they attempted to take their own lives.

The brilliant geophysicist had been described by a university tutor as one of the finest students he had ever taught.

But his descent into the depraved world of ‘hurtcore’ - where dark web users take pleasure in witnessing the physical and mental torture of others - caused a judge to brand him an “internet highwayman”.