ARMY POLICEMAN MARTYN BARKER JAILED IN GIBRALTAR FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In September 2001, a serious criminal case involving a member of the military police came to light, highlighting the disturbing actions of Corporal Martyn Barker, aged 25, who served with the 3rd Regiment of the Royal Military Police. Barker was found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children, a revelation that has shocked both military and civilian communities alike.

According to court martial proceedings held at Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain, Barker admitted to downloading and storing child pornography on his personal computer while stationed in Gibraltar. The charges included 14 counts related to the creation of digital files depicting minors under the age of 16 engaged in sexual acts or posed in an indecent manner. The court heard that Barker had also printed some of these images, further evidencing his involvement in the possession of illegal material.

The investigation was triggered when a fellow soldier, after a night of drinking, noticed suspicious images on Barker’s computer while he was asleep. This colleague promptly reported the matter, leading to Barker’s arrest and subsequent interrogation. During the investigation, Barker voluntarily provided additional evidence, which confirmed his involvement in the illegal activities. The details of the images themselves were not disclosed during the hearing, but prosecutor Major Jim Johnston clarified that Barker had admitted to saving the images onto disks and printing them out.

Major Johnston emphasized that the images depicted children under 16, a fact that contributed to the severity of the case. Barker’s defense lawyer, Bill Bache, argued that his client had been a dedicated soldier with a clean record prior to this incident. Bache claimed Barker’s initial internet searches were motivated by a desire to understand the language on an Oriental window blind in his flat, but he inadvertently accessed pornographic websites that appeared on a research list. Bache stated that Barker only skimmed the content of these sites and did not distribute or share the images with others.

He further explained that Barker’s actions were isolated and that he had not engaged in any form of distribution or public display of the images. Bache described Barker as an intelligent young man who had learned a harsh lesson from his mistakes and expressed hope that he could remain in some capacity within the armed forces.

Despite these pleas, the court martial board decided that Barker’s conduct warranted a severe disciplinary response. He was dismissed from the Army with disgrace, effectively ending his military career. Additionally, Barker was sentenced to 56 days of detention at the military corrective training center in Colchester. As part of his punishment, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.

Judge Advocate Ian Pearson, presiding over the case, delivered a stern verdict, emphasizing the gravity of Barker’s role as a member of the Royal Military Police. He stated, “The fact you are a member of the Royal Military Police is an aggravating factor. Part of your duties are to be there for public protection,” underscoring the breach of trust and responsibility involved in Barker’s actions.