January 2020

Pervert downloaded indecent images of children

A man who downloaded indecent images of children and visited chatrooms had a “dark side” to his character, a judge said.

Robert David Roberts had an “online alter ego” which had a keen sexual interest in children.

Police raided the 57-year-old’s home in North Road, Caernarfon, last May and seized a number of electronic devices.

These were examined by police experts and found to contain 3,500 files indicating a sexual interest in children.

Search terms indicative of such an interest were also found as well as chatroom messages.

Roberts, who had admitted two charges of making indecent photographs and possessing extreme pornographic images, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence.

Judge Huw Rees said the charges were aggravated by a number of factors.

“This creates a demand for more abuse of children to satisfy the unhealthy, degenerate and lustful demands of people like you.

“The images are shared widely and remain online forever and a day. This is why you offending is so serious,” he said.

Roberts was handed a six month prison sentence which was suspended for 18 months. He must carry out 60 days of Rehabilitation Activity and complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

He details will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

Outlining the circumstances of the case Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, said police officers received intelligence he was communicating with others online and executed a search warrant.

He told officers he had used a tablet computer to visit chatrooms and added there was no need to investigate anyone else living at the address.

The images found were primarily of female children aged six years to 15