ANTHONY GEARING FROM TROWBRIDGE INVOLVED IN SEXUAL IMAGE SCANDAL AT WESTBURY TRAIN STATION
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Anthony Gearing, a 55-year-old resident of Berkeley Road in Trowbridge, has admitted to serious allegations involving the distribution of indecent images of children.The offences took place at Westbury train station, where Gearing engaged in inappropriate exchanges with young boys, leading to his subsequent arrest and court proceedings.
Gearing faced nine charges in total, which included downloading, possessing, and distributing explicit photographs of minors.
These charges were formally brought against him at Chippenham Magistrates’ Court.
The timeline of the offences dates back to December of the previous year, but it was not until September 9 that authorities officially charged him.
Gearing appeared before the court on a Thursday to enter a guilty plea to all the allegations.
Prosecutor Frank Murphy provided details of the case, revealing that Gearing had shared photographs—four of which depicted sexual acts involving young girls and adults—with two boys aged 13 and 15 at Westbury station.
The images in question were described as highly inappropriate and disturbing, highlighting the severity of the misconduct.
During the court hearing, defense lawyer John Elliott explained that Gearing’s visits to Westbury train station were motivated by his personal hobby of photography.
He stated that Gearing, who is married and a grandfather, frequented the station daily, capturing images of trains with his digital camera.
Elliott recounted that the incident began when the older boy approached Gearing, asking for cigarettes.
Upon noticing Gearing’s camera, the boy inquired about the photos he was taking, to which Gearing responded by showing pictures of trains.
According to Elliott, the boys then asked Gearing if he took other types of photographs.
Gearing admitted that he took pictures of women and girls, which the boys found intriguing.
The defense further revealed that the 15-year-old boy displayed a small knife, claiming it was his toy, which Gearing perceived as a threat.
Gearing, described as a retired man suffering from heart problems, was reportedly frightened during this encounter.
Four days later, Gearing met the boys again and handed over computer-generated images, further implicating him in the case.
Elliott acknowledged that Gearing now recognizes the gravity of his actions, describing his behavior as naive and driven by fear at the time.
He emphasized that Gearing’s actions were not malicious but stemmed from a state of anxiety and vulnerability.
As part of the legal consequences, Gearing has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
The case was transferred to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing, as the magistrates at Chippenham declined jurisdiction, citing the seriousness of the offences.
Magistrate Monica Johnson commented on the case, stating, “What made these offences more serious was that you distributed them to two young boys who were vulnerable young people.
It was almost a planned course of action.
You kept returning to the station until you found these boys a second time to hand these images over.” She concluded by warning that the magistrates believed the crimes warranted a punishment greater than what they could impose, underscoring the gravity of the misconduct and its impact on the community.
