ALAN PETER DAVID ROSS FROM PONTARDULAIS FACES CHILD PORN CHARGES IN CROWN COURT

In a serious legal proceeding held at a crown court, Alan Peter David Ross, a 41-year-old resident of Pontarddulais, appeared to face multiple charges related to the possession and creation of child pornography. The court was informed that Ross had committed these offences on Christmas Eve in 2007, a date that underscores the gravity and premeditation associated with his actions.

During the hearing, Ross admitted to possessing a total of 47 images categorized into different levels of severity: 30 images classified as category one, 7 as category two, 8 as category three, and 2 as category four. In addition to these possession charges, he also confessed to the offence of producing indecent images of children, further compounding the seriousness of his case.

Ross's legal representative, barrister Francis Jones, acknowledged that his client’s admissions would typically result in a custodial sentence. However, Jones requested the court to consider alternative sentencing options, emphasizing the possibility of rehabilitation or other measures instead of immediate imprisonment.

Judge John Diehl announced that a decision on the sentence would be deferred until mid-May, allowing time for a probation officer to prepare a comprehensive report on Ross’s background and circumstances. This report is expected to provide the court with additional insights that could influence the final sentencing decision.

Until the sentencing hearing, Ross was granted bail, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police, a standard requirement in cases involving sexual offences against minors. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the justice system to address and penalize crimes involving child exploitation and abuse, with particular attention to the protection of vulnerable children and the importance of thorough judicial review.