A MAN filmed himself sexually abusing a child in Gwynedd “out of a desire to be liked” by others.
Anthony McKnight, 39, of Hepburn Road, Haddington, was jailed for six-and-a-half years at Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday (May 21).
McKnight, who admitted two counts of sexual assault of a child and one charge of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, will also serve an extended two-year licence period once he is released from custody.
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Prosecutor Simon Rogers said police executed a search warrant at McKnight’s home in June 2024.
His phone was seized, and found to contain indecent images of children – McKnight was cautioned and arrested, and said: “I’ve got myself in a mess.”
Videos on his phone also showed McKnight engaging in sexual activity with a child in Gwynedd.
Further analysis of his phone revealed McKnight had been in contact with two other males, with whom he had discusses sexually abusing the child.
One of these males was said to have been “directing” McKnight’s abuse of the child, while the other male received videos of McKnight’s abuse from him.
In December 2024, McKnight admitted sexually assaulting the child, and claimed he did so to make other people like him.
He was jailed for four years in November 2024 after possessing, taking and distributing indecent images of children.
Representing McKnight, who had three previous convictions for eight offences and previously worked as a nurse and an assistant hotel manager, Ian O’Rourke said he has engaged with a psychiatrist and psychologist in prison.
Mr O’Rourke added: “He disputes (having) a lack of empathy, and is very upset personally about what he has done.”
“He maintains that he has no sexual attraction to children whatsoever, and that he committed these offences out of a desire to be liked.”
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones labelled McKnight a “paedophile”.
“This was a particularly vulnerable victim,” she told him.
McKnight will adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for an indefinite period.
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