MARTIN TOOMER FROM CIRENCESTER ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE CHARGES

In a case that has drawn significant attention in Gloucestershire, Martin Toomer, a 56-year-old resident of Cirencester, faced serious allegations related to the possession of indecent images of minors. The incident traces back to May 2019 when Gloucestershire police, acting on intelligence from the National Crime Agency, identified that illicit images were being accessed via the Kik messenger service from an IP address registered to Toomer’s residence on Lewis Lane in Cirencester.

Following this discovery, authorities executed a search warrant at Toomer’s home on June 17, 2019. During the raid, police seized three electronic devices: two laptops and a mobile phone. At the time, Toomer was unable to be interviewed due to health issues, specifically high blood pressure, and was subsequently taken to hospital. The investigation revealed that his computers contained a total of 17 indecent images and videos of underage girls, categorized into different levels of severity. Among these, two images were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious nature, with additional images and videos falling into Categories B and C.

In July 2020, Toomer was interviewed by police. During the interview, he claimed that he had been under the influence of prescription medication at the time and insisted that he was not the sole user of the devices, asserting a lack of knowledge regarding the indecent images stored on them. It was also noted that some of the images had not been accessed since 2016, suggesting they had been stored for several years.

Further background information revealed that Toomer had a prior conviction from July 2000, when he was sentenced to two years in prison for the distribution of indecent images of children. This history underscored the gravity of the current charges.

In court, Toomer admitted to making and possessing 17 indecent images of a child, with the images dating from April 13, 2010, to June 8, 2019. The images spanned categories A, B, and C, reflecting varying degrees of severity.

Judge Paul Garlick addressed Toomer directly, noting that typically, such offences would warrant an eight-month custodial sentence. However, recognizing the need for a more comprehensive approach, the judge opted for a different course of action. Instead of immediate imprisonment, Toomer was sentenced to a three-year community order. This order includes mandatory participation in 40 sessions of a specialized programme aimed at addressing sexual issues, as well as the completion of 30 days of rehabilitation activities.

Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all three electronic devices involved in the case. Toomer was also subjected to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his internet usage, and he was required to register as a sex offender for the same period. These measures aim to mitigate future risks and protect the community from potential harm.