A 40-year-old man has been sent to prison after police found a video of him sexually abusing a child.

Christopher Randall, who formerly lived in the Lowestoft area and is currently of Croft Lane, Chipperfield, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, was arrested in November last year after indecent images of children had been downloaded at his Suffolk address.

A search of the property saw officers seize a number of items and examination of these revealed video footage of Randall abusing a young child.

Work by officers in the case led to the identification of the girl and the approximate date the incident occurred.

Randall was arrested again and gave his second ‘no comment’ interview.

In March this year he was charged with rape, sexual assault and making indecent image offences and he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today (July 31), to be sentenced after pleading guilty to six offences.

He was given 12 years in prison on the rape charge, with sentencing on the other counts to run concurrently, and an extended licence period of 15 years.

He will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Inspector Andy Footer said; “If it were not for the diligence of the officer from the online investigation team, who found the footage and identified the victim before handing over to our child protection team, these offences may have gone undetected. Her thorough work ensured the child was safeguarded and this is a good example of two Suffolk Police departments working hand in hand to identify crimes, protect a child and bring a dangerous offender to justice.

“We are pleased the court has given a substantial sentence, that sends a message that child abusers can expect to spend a considerable time in custody for such serious offences.”