15 March 2011 Last updated at 13:45 ET

Anthony Milsom, from Newtown, jailed for sex offences

Milsom collected newspaper cuttings relating to high-profile child murders, the court heard

A "manipulative and predatory" sex offender, said to be obsessed with child torture, has been jailed indefinitely for public protection.

Anthony Milsom, 62, from Newtown, Powys, used a girl for his "sexual gratification", Mold Crown Court heard.

Milsom admitted indecent assault, and possessing and making indecent images.

The judge said he had an "uncontrollable obsession with images which are nothing less than the torture and abuse of young children".

Milsom, unemployed and originally from Hull in East Yorkshire, was made the subject of an indeterminate sentence to protect the public and was told he could only apply for release after three-and-a-half years.

He was warned that he would not be released until the parole board was satisfied it was safe to do so.

"The facts of this case would chill the blood of the parent of any young child," said Judge Niclas Parry.

The court was told that Milsom's large collection of indecent images revealed his fascination with the murder, abduction and rape of young female children.

Police found in his home more than 5,100 indecent drawings, more than 200 photographs, 127,700 still images, together with 500 films and 188 home-made videos.

Many of them were in the worst category, the court was told.

Prosecuting barrister Andrew Green said Milsom had newspaper cuttings relating to high-profile child murder inquiries including Milly Dowler, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, Sophie Hook and Madeleine McCann.

Police found an exercise book entitled "how to kidnap young girls".

Remorse and apologies

VHS tapes filmed by Milsom of children at playing fields and beaches were also discovered.

Geraint Jones, defending, described Milsom as a loner.

He wanted to express his remorse and apologies for what had happened, he said.

"He maintains that what he did was all in the world of fantasy, that he had no intention turning that fantasy into reality," he told the court.

"He is an isolated man with an unfortunate background."

Milsom admitted a series of offences dating back to the early 1990s including 16 counts of possessing indecent images of children, 21 charges of making indecent images, five charges of indecent assault on a little girl when she was aged between four and eight, and possessing cannabis.

Milsom was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and he was made the subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order to curb his activities in future.

In a statement released after the hearing, Dyfed-Powys Police described Milsom as a very dangerous individual who had stayed undetected for many years.

Police said in a statement: "None of the families concerned knew that the abuse was taking place.

"In this way Milsom has stayed beneath the radar for many years until exposed by information that came directly from the community."

After his initial arrest a major police inquiry was launched.

Officers said the victims of the abuse were identified from images and contacted by specialist, trained detectives.

Now adults, they had given their recollection of their contact with Milsom.

Det Insp Ian Andrew said: "We would like to pay tribute to these women and thank them for their assistance and courage."