A WORCESTERSHIRE man has avoided jail after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
Robert George, aged 42, of Rowan Close, Bromsgrove, has been given a three year community order after admitting to possessing 39 indecent images of children including one category A image – the most severe level identified within sentencing guidelines.
George was also ordered to sign onto the sex offenders register for five years and was issued a five year sexual harm prevention order preventing him from having any contact with any child under 16, excluding his own.
He will also have to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work within the community and was ordered to pay £250 in court costs.
He pled guilty in February 2024 to three counts of making indecent images which also included two category B images and 36 category C images.
The offending happened between March 7, 2014 and October 14, 2021 which led to his arrest in February 2022.
Aimee Parkes, prosecuting, told the court how police found evidence of George entering chat rooms to obtain indecent images and using search terms including ‘toddler breastfeeding’.
Evidence of files containing indecent images titled ‘hardcore rape’ and ‘Jade baby 98’ were also found alongside 168,000 lawful pornographic images.
George also admitted to ‘catfishing’ another man in chat rooms by pretending to be a minor and sharing a category C indecent image of a child in order for the other man to ‘talk to him sexually.’
During sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court today (Friday, April 12) Judge Jackson referred to George’s crimes as ‘extremely concerning’ while recognising his cooperation with the police and the prosecution services upon his arrest and early guilty plea.
George’s history as a newspaper editor was brought up by the judge who recognised he may have reported on cases of this nature over his career.
Judge Jackson also considered aggravating circumstances including George’s possession of indecent images of children aged between one and two years old.
George’s history and clean record, without any previous convictions or cautions, was recognised by the judge.
The court also heard how George had admitted to distributing two indecent images of children including one category A and one category B, including a photo of a ‘baby in a nappy on a swing’ during a police interview in 2022. Prosecution decided not to bring forward further charges for distribution despite this being a more severe offence.
George was warned if he offended again and breached his community order, he could be brought straight back to court for resentencing, including the possibility of a custodial sentence.
Rob George – Statement on behalf of the Worcester, Malvern and Evesham Observers
The first the company knew about the case came after the proceedings in February at Worcester Magistrates Court.
The company was shocked, saddened and disturbed by the situation.
George resigned from his positions with the papers with immediate effect.
Had he not, he would have faced disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct, in line with the company’s code of conduct.
