MICHAEL ROBINSON FROM ROTHBURY CAUGHT WITH DEPRAVED CHILD IMAGES IN NORTHUMBERLAND

In January 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Robinson, a merchant navy officer from Rothbury, Northumberland, who was found in possession of a large collection of indecent images depicting children and babies. The case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court, where the severity of his actions was laid bare.

Robinson, aged 47 and residing at Mart Field in Rothbury, was identified by police in August 2017 after his internet address was traced to access and download illegal material. At the time, he was working away from home, but upon his return to the UK in November 2018, authorities were waiting to arrest him. A subsequent search of his Northumberland residence uncovered four electronic devices containing a significant amount of illicit content.

The police investigation revealed that Robinson possessed 145 images classified as Category A, which are considered the most serious, along with one video. Additionally, there were 189 images categorized as B and 442 images as C, as well as two videos. The images depicted children ranging in age from as young as two months to 15 years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material.

During police interviews, Robinson provided a prepared statement in which he admitted to viewing underage images and engaging with material involving sexual activity involving females, as well as animal pornography. He claimed that he did not derive sexual pleasure from these images, attributing his actions to curiosity. He also suggested that he was contemplating putting himself in the position of a child to understand the feeling of being sexually wanted, an explanation that was dismissed by the judge as 'odd, if not bizarre.'

Robinson, who has no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. The court heard that he had no previous convictions and was a respected professional in the merchant navy, with glowing reviews from his work records, which documented his travels around the world.

However, Judge Tim Gittins did not hold back in his sentencing. He imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered Robinson to sign the sex offenders' register and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. The judge emphasized the gravity of Robinson's actions, stating that his explanation about curiosity was 'to say the least, odd, if not bizarre,' and that he had never encountered such a claim before.

Judge Gittins highlighted that Robinson's previous good character was overshadowed by his recent conduct, which involved downloading images that were not only indecent but also depraved and disgusting. He pointed out that Robinson's work in the merchant navy had seen him travel extensively, earning commendations, but all of that was eclipsed by his admitted involvement with these heinous images.

The judge made a stark statement about the impact of such material, noting that each viewing is a form of re-abuse of the victims depicted. He urged Robinson to recognize his paedophile tendencies to better resist such urges in the future, warning that individuals like him contribute to the ongoing harm inflicted on children by fueling a market for such images.