CLIVE AMBROSE FROM GREAT HORKESLEY FACES SERIOUS CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES IN COLCHESTER

In December 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Clive Ambrose, a former judo instructor from Great Horkesley, who was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images of children. The allegations against Ambrose are grave, with authorities uncovering a significant number of illicit materials during their investigation.

Ambrose, aged 46, faced multiple charges at Colchester Magistrates' Court, including the possession of over 1,500 indecent images of minors. The charges also extended to a disturbing image depicting a person engaging in a sexual act with an animal. The evidence collected by law enforcement revealed a troubling pattern of behavior spanning from September 2015 to July of the current year.

Specifically, the police found ten images classified as Category A, which are considered the most severe due to their explicit and exploitative nature. Additionally, there were fifteen Category B images and a staggering 1,529 images categorized as Category C. Among the illicit materials, authorities also discovered one prohibited image of a child and another reflecting acts of bestiality, further underscoring the seriousness of the case.

Prosecutor Catherine Houghton emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating that the severity of the images, particularly the Category A content, necessitated a transfer of the case to Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing. The magistrates agreed, recognizing that the case's complexity and the nature of the evidence required a higher court's jurisdiction. Ambrose's next court appearance is scheduled for early next year, where a pre-sentence report will be prepared by the probation service to assist in determining an appropriate sentence.

In the meantime, Ambrose has been granted bail under strict conditions. He is prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with children and is barred from participating in or teaching judo sessions involving individuals under the age of 18. These restrictions are intended to prevent any potential harm while the legal process continues.

It is noteworthy that Clive Ambrose has no prior criminal convictions, which may influence the sentencing outcome. His case has garnered significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the offences and the potential risk posed to children. The chairman of the bench, Elisabeth Connor, stated that the case was serious enough to warrant a transfer to Chelmsford Crown Court for a more severe punishment. She also reminded Ambrose that he must attend the next hearing in January, as failure to do so would constitute an offence. Furthermore, Ambrose is now subject to notification requirements, meaning he must register as a sex offender and comply with related legal obligations.