CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON FROM OLD MALTON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY IN YORK

In a case that has shocked the local community of Old Malton and the wider York area, Christopher Robinson, aged 22, faced serious allegations related to the possession of explicit material involving minors. The incident came to light after police investigations uncovered a disturbing collection of images and videos stored on Robinson's personal computer.

According to court records, Robinson was found to have accumulated a total of 80 still photographs and eight video clips depicting children being sexually abused. The victims ranged from infants just months old to early teenagers, highlighting the severity and disturbing nature of the material stored on his device.

The case was brought before York Crown Court after Robinson pleaded guilty to multiple charges at Scarborough magistrates' court in May. These charges included possession of 64 indecent images of children and 24 counts related to creating and making indecent images. Robinson, who resides on Town Street in Old Malton, was identified as the individual responsible for these offenses.

During the sentencing hearing, Robinson’s legal representative, Taryn Turner, explained that her client had kept his criminal activities hidden from his partner, emphasizing the personal and psychological struggles he was facing. The prosecution, led by Tom Storey, recounted how police executed a search warrant at Robinson’s residence last October. During the raid, authorities seized his home computer, which was later examined and found to contain the illicit images.

Robinson admitted to police that he spent up to six hours daily on the internet, primarily viewing adult pornography. However, he also confessed that, driven by curiosity, he had accessed child-related sites on several occasions. His defense argued that there was no evidence suggesting the material had been shared or distributed to others, asserting that the images were solely for Robinson’s personal gratification.

Mrs. Turner highlighted that her client recognized he had a problem and expressed a willingness to seek help, suggesting that rehabilitation could be beneficial. The court was informed that Robinson had not previously been involved in such offenses and that he acknowledged the need for intervention.

Judge Stephen Ashurst, presiding over the case, decided against imposing a custodial sentence, which is often considered in cases involving a relatively small number of images. Instead, he emphasized that Robinson would benefit more from a structured community order aimed at rehabilitation. The judge imposed a two-year supervision order, requiring Robinson to attend an Internet Sex Abuser Course and to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years. Additionally, a Sex Offences Prevention Order was issued, restricting his unsupervised contact with children under 16. As part of the court’s measures, Robinson’s computer will be destroyed to prevent further access to such material.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, while also highlighting the importance of rehabilitation for offenders.