July 2013
Respected Gloucestershire businessman had 1,500 indecent images of children on file
The wife of an insurance man is sticking by him – despite police finding hundreds of indecent pictures of children and extreme pornography on his computer.
Gloucester Crown Court heard businessman Richard Neubauer had nearly 1,500 images when police raided his Millway home in English Bicknor on August 24.
The 66-year-old admitted 12 charges of making indecent photographs and three of possessing extreme pornography.
Prosecutor Janine Wood told the court he confessed to police before the computer was analysed.
She said: “He said his wife had lost interest in sex, but he had no interest in children.
“He said he liked looking at girls in their teens in school uniforms, but he looked at them divorced from reality.”
Judge Jamie Tabor QC said: “My concern is I am not sure he understands the gravity of this offence.
“Children are horribly abused by people who take these images.
“These are wicked child abusers demeaning and damaging children so they can financially gain from the exploitation.”
Neubauer’s wife accompanied him to court.
In mitigation, Nigel Richardson said this was the first blot on the father-of-two’s character.
He said: “He has made a hugely positive contribution to his community.
“His wife could have very easily turned her back on him. It is very difficult for her.
“It is particularly difficult for him as well as he used to be a respected member of the community.
“He feels he has let himself, his family and faith down.”
Neubauer had been bought up a Christian, but following his father’s death found out the family were of Jewish background.
The court heard he and his wife converted and was well known within the Jewish community of the Forest of Dean.
Mr Richardson said that he had started experiencing panic attacks in 2001 and took Seroxat medication, which could reduce inhibitions.
Judge Tabor sentenced him to 18 months in jail suspended for two years and 200 hours of unpaid work.
He said: “The fact is the images you have downloaded showed, in part, young children suffering horrendous sexual abuse, which if you had seen going on in the street I have no doubt you would have, out of care, put a stop to it.”
Neubauer was also ordered to pay £250 costs and sign the sex offender register.
