A sex beast who filmed himself sexually assaulting a toddler has been jailed for a minimum of ten years today (Monday).

Trevor Vinson, aged 38, shot the footage on a mobile telephone which he hid inside the bag of a vacuum cleaner as police knocked on his front door.

But his horrified partner found the 'phone and handed it over to the police.

Vinson, formerly of Tumble but now of Valence Walk, Pembroke, admitted six offences of sexual assault and three of making child pornography.

Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court that the girl had complained to her parents about Vinson touching her.

Her father confronted Vinson but he talked his way out of it.

But she complained to her grandmother and the police were contacted.

Miss Richards said Vinson continued to deny doing anything wrong.

On being shown the mobile telephone pictures he first denied that the 'phone belonged to him and then said someone else must have carried out the assaults and done the filming.

But, she added, they police were able to prove that he was responsible.

Vinson sat with his head bowed and staring at the floor for the duration of the hearing.

Judge Keith Thomas ruled that Vinson was a dangerous offender as defined by law and would be a risk to young people after his eventual release from prison.

Judge Thomas issued a sexual harm prevention order restricting Vinson's access to young people in the future.

He said he did not accept that Vinson had any real understanding of the harm he had caused.

Vinson was jailed for 15 years, with an extended licence period of six years.

Judge Thomas told him he would serve a minimum of 10 years behind bars but would be liable to recall to prison until 2038.

Police and the victim's family have welcomed the sentencing of Vinson.

The parents of the three-year-old victim said: “As a family we have been rocked to the core, our world has crumbled around us. It has impacted every aspect of us physically and mentally, leading us to second guess every decision we have ever made in regards to our own parenting.

“The whole family group has been left traumatised, we never thought it would happen to our family, it's something you hear about in the papers but never believe it will be at your own doorstep. We would never have knowingly put our children in danger and will never forgive the deceit and breach of trust that has led to this.

“Dyfed-Powys Police has been phenomenal from the beginning and we would like to personally thank the individual officers who worked with us (Paula and Carrie) and the officers behind the scenes.

“Our advice to all parents is to trust your gut instinct as without that and the bravery shown by our child, this vile person may have still been perpetrating to this day. Please don't be afraid to speak to the police if you think your child has come into contact with this person, trust in your instincts. No family should ever have to go through this much heartache at the hands of one individual.”

DI Elaine Bendle said: “I am pleased that Vinson has today been sentenced and is no longer able to cause harm to the young victim or anyone else. This is a highly unusual case with evidence being obtained from such a young victim.

“The crimes he committed against this child were abhorrent and I must commend the detectives, digital crime investigators, police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to bring Vinson to justice.

“We would obviously wish for such offences never to occur in our communities and we work closely with colleagues in partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable people, but very sadly abuse still does happen.  

“I hope there can be some reassurance felt within our communities that when such crimes are committed, we have dedicated, specially trained officers here prepared to work hard to ensure outcomes like today’s sentencing.

“Goleudy, a service for victims and witnesses, is providing support to the victim and her family to help them come to terms with what has happened.

“I hope anyone else who has experienced similar abuse at any stage of their life can find courage from this case to see that all reports will be taken seriously by Dyfed-Powys Police and fully investigated.”

Hayley Davies of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This case concerned extremely serious sexual abuse of a very young victim.  We worked closely with Dyfed-Powys Police advising on further lines of inquiry to ensure that the strongest possible evidence could be gathered and presented. This resulted in guilty pleas at an early stage.”