KEITH GIBSON FROM KENNFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENCY IMAGES IN DEVON AND EXETER

In a case that has shocked the local community and highlighted the ongoing battle against online child exploitation, Keith Gibson, a 50-year-old resident of Milford Cottages in Kennford, was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the distribution of indecent images of children. The court heard that Gibson possessed a staggering collection of 2,300 still and moving images on his personal computer, which he subsequently shared with a paedophile ring operating over the internet.

During the proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that some of the content found on Gibson’s devices was particularly heinous, including images depicting the rape of a three-year-old child. The severity of the case was underscored by the fact that Gibson admitted to ten counts of making indecent images, four counts of distributing such material, and two counts of possessing indecent images. His actions placed him firmly within the realm of serious offenders involved in the exploitation of minors.

The court was informed that Gibson was part of an online paedophile network where members exchanged child sex fantasies and images through chat rooms. Some of the individuals involved in these exchanges posed as children to lure and entrap others, further complicating the criminal investigation. The victims depicted in the images ranged from infants under six months old to young children aged approximately three and ten years old. Disturbingly, some of the movies distributed by Gibson showed girls of about three and ten being raped, illustrating the horrifying extent of his involvement.

Gibson’s arrest was the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) squad based in London. The authorities uncovered his illicit activities after seizing his computer equipment, which revealed a disturbing cache of images and videos. The police found 1,682 still images and 638 movies, with nearly 1,000 classified as the most serious category of child abuse material.

During the sentencing, Judge Francis Gilbert QC described Gibson’s conduct as 'pre-meditated,' emphasizing that his actions were well planned and persistent. The judge noted that Gibson had gone to significant lengths to avoid detection, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the harm inflicted upon the children depicted in the images. The judge remarked, “You did not care if you were talking to adults or children and you fantasized you were talking to children.”

It was also revealed that Gibson operated a computer repair business, which was used as a cover for his illicit activities. The police seized equipment from his premises, uncovering the extensive collection of illegal images. Following recent flooding at his property over Christmas, Gibson had moved from Milford Cottages in Kennford to River Drive in Cullompton, but this did not prevent his arrest and subsequent conviction.

Judge Gilbert concluded that this case was among the most serious he had encountered of its kind, reflecting the grave nature of Gibson’s crimes and the profound impact on the victims involved.