Grangemouth is safer today after paedophile David Morrison admitted in court to raping a baby and distributing pictures of child abuse. He now faces a lengthy term in jail.

Sick Morrison (45) has been described as "undoubtedly one of the most dangerous sexual predators we have ever investigated" by Central Scotland Police, who launched a lengthy and complex inquiry to snare him.

Morrison admitted four charges at the High Court in Glasgow today (Friday, September 2) including raping the 14-month old girl and taking, possessing and distributing images through the internet.

He was trapped by Operation Malta, a huge operation in which police and other experts built up detailed evidence of Morrison's evil activities.

Evidence of the rape was built up through combining online chat logs and photographs. Police were able to establish that the premises in a video Morrison made of the rape to send to another paedophile in the USA was Morrison's home, and expert analysis of veins in Morrison's hands proved that a hand in the video was his.

Forensic examination of five hard-drives taken from his home revealed Morrison had been in contact with paedophiles in 25 countries. In the UK alone, 15 people have been arrested as a result of the inquiry. Three children have been removed from harm after being identified as at risk.

Unemployed Morrison had more than 13,000 photographs and videos, a number of which were "at the highest end of severity in terms of the graphic nature of the abuse depicted".

The investigation began in December 2010 when police seized computer equipment from Morrison's home after concerns had been raised about his behaviour. More than 30 police officers and staff worked on the investigation, alongside representatives of other agencies.

Detective Inspector Barry Blair, of the Public Protection Unit, which led Operation Malta, said: "This man is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous sexual predators we have ever investigated. We know that children in the Forth Valley area and beyond are considerably safer now he has been convicted at court of these despicable offences.

"A comprehensive and unique evidential jigsaw helped us to charge Morrison with rape, to which has now pleaded guilty. We were able to piece together his offending by examining his chat logs to other offenders immediately before the offence took place, detailed examination of the images he had taken of the abuse actually taking place and looking at chat logs immediately after the offence had taken place.

"Experts were able to tell us, that by examining the patterns of veins on the back of a hand in one of the images and comparing that with photos we took of Morrison's hands, the person in the photo was him. They were also able to tell us by closely scrutinising the backgrounds of the images that the photos were taken in his home."

Detective Sergeant Douglas Howie of the Specialist Investigations Unit, which investigates online crime and sexual abuse, said: "The possession and distribution of child abuse images is in no way a victimless crime. Morrison was in contact with more than 200 people around the world through the internet, who were all like-minded individuals who were interested in the sexual abuse of young children. In the UK alone, three children were effectively rescued from being at risk.

"Morrison was carrying out sex abuse on a small child and posting those images around the world for the gratification of others. I cannot think of a more abhorrent offence."

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Johnston, in charge of the Public Protection Unit, added: "While this inquiry was led by Central Scotland Police, with a dedicated and specially-trained team of officers and staff, it was a team effort which involved experts from the NPIA (National Policing Improvement Agency), CEOP and the University of Dundee.

"Public protection is a key priority for our force and working with partner agencies is critical in this area of work to ensure those who are most vulnerable to criminals who prey on those cannot protect themselves. We have worked closely with Falkirk Council social services, NHS Forth Valley and voluntary sector on this sensitive inquiry."

Anne Donaldson, Area Procurator Fiscal for Central Scotland, said: "David Morrison has today pled guilty to offences that any civilised person will find it impossible to comprehend.

"David Morrison sexually abused a child and transmitted images of this abuse via a webcam. He made and downloaded indecent images of children and shared these photographs on the internet.

"Working closely with police specialists, who utilised the latest technology to uncover the extent of his offending, the expert prosecutors in our National Sexual Crimes Unit have today brought Morrison to justice for these most despicable of crimes.

"I want to reassure the public that the prosecution service will work tirelessly to ensure that there is no place to hide for those intent on committing child abuse. They will be found, and they will be brought to justice."