A VILE paedophile who threatened a teenager into sending sexual videos of her and her brother has been sentenced.

Daniel Norton, 26, told the Hampshire girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, that his father was a police officer and if she did not send videos of herself she would be “taken away from her family”.

Southampton Crown Court heard that he also made threats to distribute pictures and videos of the victim on the internet if she did not send more.

Eventually when the victim said she did not want to send them, the images were put on the internet and went viral.

It forced Hampshire Constabulary to issue a warning to parents, urging them to tell their children not to pass on the disturbing video.

Prosecutor James Kellam said Norton set up a fake profile on what he believed to be an adult dating site – but quickly realised it was largely used by teenagers.

Mr Kellam said: “He started talking to one girl knowing full well how old she was and persuaded her to send a photograph of her topless.

“Norton then sent her threats saying his father was a police officer and he would get her taken away from her family unless she sent more material.”

This persuaded her to send a video of herself and her brother.

The victim blocked Norton who then called her pretending to be his father.

Mr Kellam added: “He said that if she did not send more images, the video would be circulated with her school friends.”

Matthew Jewell QC, mitigating, told the court Norton had shown courage in admitting to getting sexual gratification from the images.

Judge Gary Burrell QC said Norton’s acts had “plumbed the depths of depravity”.

Norton pleaded guilty to eight counts of offences against children.

Norton, of Cheadle, Stockport, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, with three years on extended licence.

Norton must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he is considered for parole.

A sexual harm prevention order and barring order will run indefinitely.

Anyone concerned about child sexual abuse on the internet should contact CEOP via the online ClickCEOP reporting button – ceop.police.uk.

l Read tomorrow’s Daily Echo for an in-depth discussion with Detective Superintendent Rachel Farrell about the case.