MARTIN RUTLAND OF LINTHORPE AND MIDDLESBROUGH JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ANIMAL ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Middlesbrough community, Martin Rutland, a registered childminder from Linthorpe, was sentenced to prison after being found in possession of an extensive collection of indecent images involving children and animals. The investigation into Rutland’s online activities was initiated late last year by authorities in Gloucestershire, leading to a police raid on his residence in Middlesbrough.

Rutland, aged 56, was registered with Ofsted as a childminder, working alongside his wife, who was unaware of his illicit activities. The police uncovered thousands of indecent images and videos, including those depicting child abuse and animal pornography, stored on his devices. The discovery was particularly shocking given Rutland’s role as a caregiver, entrusted with the safety and well-being of young children in his care.

Following the raid, Rutland was arrested and subsequently charged with multiple offenses. He faced 14 counts of making indecent photographs of children, possessing a total of 9,425 images and videos, and four counts related to possessing extreme pornography. During police interviews, Rutland admitted to viewing the images but claimed he did not derive sexual gratification from them. Instead, he reportedly told officers, “It’s the slim teenagers I find attractive.”

His lawyer, Rachel Dyson, presented mitigation in court, highlighting the personal toll Rutland had suffered, including the loss of his marriage, contact with his children, his home, and his business. Despite these circumstances, the court was told that Rutland’s actions had caused significant harm, especially considering his role as a childminder.

Judge Tony Briggs addressed the court, expressing his concern over the case. He stated, “One can understand the feeling of outrage, concern and worry that a childminder accessing this type of material is in charge of children. It does not take a great deal of thought to understand the effect.” The judge emphasized that such conduct not only endangers children but also damages the trust placed in caregivers. He added, “The fact that you and others like you wish to view material of that sort invariably means that conduct of this type, sadly, continues, children are put at risk and, no doubt, permanently damaged.”

Rutland’s double life was described as particularly troubling, with police revealing that while he appeared to be a caring family man, he was secretly indulging in these disturbing online habits. The court was told that during the period he was collecting these images, Rutland was running a nursery with his partner, caring for children in an environment that should have been safe and nurturing.

Currently residing without a fixed address but formerly living on Roman Road in Linthorpe, Rutland was sentenced to two years in prison. After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Paul Higgins commented on the case, saying, “Martin Rutland lived a double life, outwardly portraying the image of a caring childminder, while at the same time secretly indulging his desires. While there was no direct harm to any child in his care, in doing so he abused the trust of the parents who placed their children with him.”