Paul Hopkins, 50, of Romsey, Hampshire, has been jailed for 22 years after pleading guilty to 25 sexual offences involving children. He was handed a 30-year extended sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court, meaning he will serve 22 years in prison followed by eight years on licence.
The offences included the rape of a girl in the UK and arranging the abuse of a girl in the Philippines, which was broadcast online. Det Insp Dave Wells from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) stated that Hopkins was the most dangerous sex offender his team had investigated.
SWROCU said Hopkins was arrested in March 2025 while making plans to meet a young girl for sexual abuse. This arrest led to the discovery of livestreamed abuse of a nine-year-old girl in the Philippines and evidence of non-recent attacks on a girl in the UK found on Hopkins' devices.
The National Crime Agency noted that the Philippines is a "key hub for this type of abuse, with the UK representing one of the top three consumers." Police also said the mother of the girl in the Philippines was arrested for facilitating the abuse.