Andrew Roberts – Cromer

November 2014

Cromer man admits possessing indecent images of children

A man admitted downloading 582 indecent images of children and claimed it was out of “curiosity” a court heard.

Police found the images on a computer when they searched the Cromer address of Andrew Roberts, 50, and found the images saved in a folder.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, at Norwich Crown Court, said the majority of images were in the less serious category as Roberts said his main interest was in “naturist pictures” of underage people, and he admitted viewing the images over a five year period..

“He said he did it out of curiousity. He did not think it was illegal because it was so easy to get the images.”

Roberts said he had downloaded the images over a five year period.

Mr Youell added:“He said he did not do it for sexual gratification but out of curiosity.”

He said Roberts said he did not know why he had done it.

Roberts of Salisbury Road, Cromer, admitted possession of the images and was given a four month jail sentence suspended for two years.

He was also placed on the sex offender’s register for seven years and made subject of a sexual offences prevention order, under which he must allow police to monitor his internet use.

Recorder Guy Ayers told Roberts he accepted that his main interest was in naturist pictures of underage people but said he also had a few more graphic images which he had kept in the file,

Recorder Ayers also ordered Roberts to attend an internet sex offender’s treatment programme as part of his supervision order and said: “I hope this helps make sure this never happens again.”

Andrew Oliver, for Roberts, said the majority of the images were in the lowest category and said Roberts had been candid with police.

“He has been accessing this on a regular basis. He has a curiosity in that area.”

He said Roberts had not distributed any images and said: “He has not sought to pass them on to anyone else. It is purely for his own self interest.”