ANDREW ROYLE FROM CHIPPENHAM SENTENCED IN SWINDON FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In July 2004, Andrew Royle, a resident of Chippenham, was finally sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing discoveries linked to his possession of child pornography. The case came to light when police, acting on a tip, uncovered incriminating files on Royle’s computer, revealing a disturbing collection of images and videos involving minors.

Royle, aged 29 at the time, had been previously convicted of similar offenses in 2001 and was under a probation order and mandated to attend a sex offenders' program. Despite these legal restrictions, he continued to download and store illicit material, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children.

The investigation began when a man named Andrew Brain advertised his old computer for sale in October 2002. Royle purchased the machine, and part of the agreement was that Mr. Brain or a friend would repair it if issues arose. A few weeks later, Royle reported problems with the graphics and sound cards. Mr. Brain handed the computer over to a friend, James Driscoll, for repairs. During the process, Driscoll discovered a cache of images depicting naked children, which prompted him to alert Mr. Brain, who then contacted the police.

Initially, the images found did not lead to charges against Royle. However, during a subsequent police raid at his residence on Station Hill, Chippenham, officers uncovered another computer at Royle’s home in Old Town, Swindon. This device contained a significant number of indecent images of children. The police investigation revealed that Royle possessed approximately 50 files of children being sexually abused, along with 12 files depicting sexual acts between adults and minors. These files were stored across his computers and discs.

When questioned by authorities, Royle admitted to downloading the images, explaining that he felt compelled to view them. His confession was a crucial element in the case, highlighting the severity of his actions and the ongoing nature of his offending.

During the trial at Swindon Crown Court, the prosecution, led by James Wilson-Smith, detailed the extent of Royle’s possession of illegal material. Royle pleaded guilty to ten charges of possessing indecent photographs of children. The court was informed that the images included both photographs and videos, some of which depicted children in sexual situations.

Judge John McNaught sentenced Royle to nine months in prison, emphasizing that the seriousness of the offenses was compounded by his previous conviction. The judge also ordered Royle to register as a sex offender for ten years and to forfeit his computer and related equipment as part of the sentence. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of monitoring individuals with a history of such offenses.