Paedophile who abused six children was caught after sick photo he posted onto the 'dark web' showed his knuckles

A paedophile who abused six children has been jailed after detectives caught him when he posted a photo showing his knuckles on the 'dark web'.

Darren Welsby, 48, was identified as a sex abuser from images he uploaded on a hidden part of the internet and on an adult pornography site.

Experts pin-pointed visual similarities between some of the pictures and photos of a man committing the rape and sexual assault of a child.

A digital-forensics expert compared the images and concluded they were taken with the same device, while an anthropologist confirmed the hands shown in some of the images were Welsby's – by comparing them to photos of his knuckles.

An investigation was first launched in 2020, when officers examined three sets of child abuse images which had been uploaded to an Interpol database.

Following his identification, Welsby was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at Manchester Airport in August 2020, and his phone was seized.

His former address, also in Wythenshawe, was searched and 58 exhibits were seized, including ten digital devices containing more than 30,000 indecent images of children, dating back to 2005.

Amongst these were photographs and videos taken by Welsby, where he had captured his offending, including the rape and sexual assault of a child.

He was found with 4,700 category A images (the most serious), 4,500 category B images, 24,000 category C images and 18 extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality.

In addition to rape and sexual assault offences, Welsby took indecent photographs of children without their knowledge, and caused some to engage in sexual activity, which he also captured.

On July 10, following a two-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, a jury convicted Welsby of 18 offences, including rape of a girl under 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and he was jailed for 23 years.

Bethany Raine, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Darren Welsby has been imprisoned for sexually abusing children, including the rape of a girl under 13. He took images of some of these terrible crimes.

'This was a landmark case as the expert digital forensic evidence proved that those images were taken on the same device as other images, known to have been taken on one of Welsby's phones.

'Another expert report confirmed that the hands shown in some of the images were Welsby's, by comparing them to photos of his knuckles.

'This has been a complex and challenging case due to the unique evidence needed to bring Welsby to justice. It would not have been possible without the comprehensive investigation undertaken by the NCA.'

NCA senior manager Jen Cruickshank added: 'Darren Welsby is a predatory sexual offender who inflicted the most horrific sexual abuse against children, some as young as six, over a period of eight years.

'It is impossible to imagine the trauma they suffered as a result of these monstrous crimes, and the emotional scars they've been left with.

'Our investigation was painstaking and time-consuming; utilising innovative forensic techniques to identify Welsby, who attempted to hide his offending by using the dark web.

'This comprehensive investigation ensured that necessary evidence was secured to bring him to justice.

'This sentence is testament to the skill and unwavering dedication of investigators in the NCA and we will continue to pursue dangerous offenders like Welsby, who prey on those who are vulnerable, to protect children from sexual abuse.'