A paedophile police officer who had a sick stash of explicit images sent to him by more than 200 young girls has been jailed for life as he cowered in his cell.
Lewis Edwards was handed 13 life sentences by a judge today (Wednesday, October 25) and will serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars.
The twisted cop, 24, incited more than 200 young girls aged between 10 and 16 to send him degrading pictures and videos over Snapchat.
The defendant, of Bridgend, South Wales, has refused to attend court for the third day of proceedings.
Describing his offences, she said: “The defendant had a pattern of behaviour. He made online contact with a girl.
“The defendant pretended to be a boy of a similar age. He groomed his victims psychologically, manipulating them until he had gained control.
“When his victims did not comply, he would threaten them until they did what they were told.”
The judge said Edwards continued his abuse even when the girls were crying, distressed and disclosed they had self harmed.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said Lewis Edwards gained “sadistic enjoyment” from the distress of his young victims.
She told Cardiff Crown Court: “These are extremely serious offences and the defendant is a prolific offender.
“He has caused significant harm to the victims, their parents, their siblings and their wider families.
“It is clear that he not only gained sexual gratification but he also enjoyed the power he had over the young girls.”
She described his behaviour as “cruel and sadistic”, adding that she found he was dangerous and posed a high risk of danger to children.
Before handing him the lengthy sentence, she told Cardiff Crown Court: “Many of his victims and their families said his actions have caused them to lose trust in the police.
“There is no doubt he has caused significant harm to the reputation of South Wales Police and policing in general but it should also be borne in mind that it was officers from South Wales Police who investigated this case and brought this defendant to justice.”
