HE WAS the respected paramedic and children’s diving club volunteer whose image was one of a man who dedicated his professional and personal life to helping others.

But behind closed doors Stanley Angove was living a sinister “hidden lifestyle” abusing vulnerable young children, a court heard.

Police uncovered a collection of 18,005 indecent images of children – including some footage of himself subjecting children as young as seven to a series of sado-masochistic acts which he posted online.

Now police have launched an urgent appeal for any potential victims who have yet to come forward to contact them immediately.

It comes as the disgraced medic is waking up behind bars after being sentenced for multiple sexual offences against children.

Angove, 51, of Kingsclere Avenue, Southampton, admitted 30 sexual offences counts which included sexual assault, making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children and voyeurism.

Southampton Crown Court heard how police raided Angove’s home in February last year after tracking him through a Russian website where he had posted some of the footage.

Prosecutor Rachel Robertson told the court how officers discovered a laptop, a computer and 429 DVDs and VHS tapes containing 18,005 of indecent images of children and 494 prohibited drawings and cartoons.

Some of the footage featured acts carried out by him – while others were from elsewhere – and included 1,529 images graded as the worst category, the court heard.

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Police uncovered a hidden camera linked by wiring rigged through the loft into a wardrobe which also contained a stash of whips and canes while a child’s underwear was also found in the room, the court heard.

She told the court how Angove began the abuse 12 years ago – three years after he started looking at other indecent images online.

She read a statement from a victim sexually assaulted by him when she was just seven and was told “not to tell anyone” and the girl felt “ashamed” afterwards.

Ms Robertson stressed the images found did not necessarily reflect the “full picture” as the size of the electronic equipment was so large police could only search through part of it while some images may have been duplicated amongst the devices.

A collection of stories written by him and others on the internet relating to “disciplining” children were also found and a significant number of “borderline” images which he may have viewed for sexual gratification, Ms Robertson said.

It was heard that Angove’s role at The Quays diving club in Southampton involved driving a minibus and chaperoning children on diving competitions but he left in 2012 after six years there.

None of the offences are directly linked to the diving club. No-one from the club was available for comment last night.

He also took photographs during competitions, but none of these had been classified as indecent by the police, it was heard.

In mitigation, Mark Ruffell, said Angove’s “hidden lifestyle” stemmed from a childhood of neglect.

He pointed to his client’s previous good character telling the court: “As a paramedic he was a compassionate, kind, loyal man.”

He told the court his client did not possess a danger to the public and showed genuine remorse., adding: “He is dreadfully ashamed and feels awful at what he’s done.”

Judge Peter Ralls sentenced him to seven years and six months in jail and ordered forfeiture and destruction of computer equipment.

Branding his behaviour “reprehensible” His Honour Judge Ralls said: “Right minded people in society will be appalled.

"You had a positive good character in the past and were involved in activities in the community.

"You yourself as a child were unhappy, neglected and suffered from psychological harm but it’s not an excuse.”

A police spokesman said: “Due to the nature of these offences we recognise that there may be other victims who have not come forward.

"We would encourage anyone who sees coverage of Angove’s case and who wishes to report a crime to contact us on 101 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”