[7] After school he attended Clare College of the University of Cambridge, specialising in seismic oceanography and earning masters and doctoral degrees.

[12] Falder's offences date back as far as 2007, where he engaged in voyeurism by secretly filming his university housemates in their shared bathroom.

[clarification needed] Falder engaged in hurtcore, which police have characterised as manipulating others into performing acts of "rape, murder, sadism, torture, paedophilia, blackmail, humiliation and degradation".

Kerr feared this may have delayed identifying offenders and wanted government action to make tech companies cooperate better in future.

[17] On 16 October 2017, Falder pleaded guilty to 137 offences against 46 victims,[2][32] making him one of the most prolific sex offenders in British history.

[34] If the Parole Board believes that Falder continues to pose a danger to the public or to children, he may have to serve the full 32 years in prison.

[35] The judge at the sentencing hearing described Falder as an "internet highwayman" who was "warped and sadistic" and whose behaviour was "cunning, persistent, manipulative and cruel.

Ruona Iguyovwe, of the CPS, said,[36]Matthew Falder is a highly manipulative individual who clearly enjoyed humiliating his many victims and the impact of his offending in this case has been significant.

There was a high degree of sophistication and significant planning by Falder due to his use of encryption software and technology in his electronic communication and the use of multiple fake online identities and encrypted email addresses.Prosecutors stated Falder lived a double life, a graduate of Cambridge University and Birmingham University researcher during the day and a sexual predator at night.

[37] Police officer Matt Sutton said,[38]In more than 30 years of law enforcement I've never come across an offender whose sole motivation was to inflict such profound anguish and pain.

I've also never known such an extremely complex investigation with an offender who was technologically savvy and able to stay hidden in the darkest recesses of the dark web.

Falder is not alone so we will continue to develop and deliver our capabilities nationally for the whole law enforcement system to stop offenders like him from wrecking innocent lives.