ANDREW ROBERTS FROM ST PETER CONVICTED OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES IN JERSEY

In a significant legal case that has shocked the community of St Peter, Andrew David Roberts, a man who previously held the position of honorary policeman, has been found guilty of serious charges related to the possession and distribution of child abuse images. The conviction was handed down in the Royal Court, where the proceedings lasted less than an hour before the jury returned a verdict of guilt.

Roberts, aged 40, was accused of downloading over 500 explicit and disturbing photographs depicting children on his personal home computers. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Roberts actively searched for the most depraved and disturbing images using the Google search engine. Furthermore, it was established that he engaged in the exchange of child pornography with another individual via email, indicating a deliberate attempt to share these illicit images.

The court heard that Roberts, who resides at Rue des Landes in St Peter, had attempted to conceal his activities by employing specialized software designed to delete the images from his devices. Despite these efforts, authorities were able to recover evidence linking him to the illegal material.

Roberts faced two primary charges under the Protection of Children (Jersey) Law 1994. The first involved the making of 354 indecent images of children between January 1, 2007, and December 20, 2007. The second charge related to the creation of 179 indecent photographs of children between January 1, 2008, and February 26, 2009. Throughout the trial, Roberts maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing.

When the verdict was announced, Roberts showed no visible reaction to the court's decision. His conviction marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and abuse, highlighting the serious legal consequences faced by those involved in such heinous crimes in Jersey.