OLIVER GATES FROM ACOMB CONVICTED OF SECOND SET OF SEX OFFENCES IN YORK
In January 2017, a reservist in the armed forces was described as a “broken man” by a court after being convicted of a second series of sexual offenses, as reported by York Crown Court.Oliver Charles Gates, 34, a known paedophile, maintained that he was not responsible for the possession of over 600 illegal images and videos of children that were discovered in his room and had been stored for nearly two years.
During his trial, Gates claimed: “I have no sexual interest in young girls,” despite a prior conviction involving indecent assault and gross indecency with a 13-year-old girl.
His legal representative, Jeremy Hill-Baker, stated that Gates changed his mind shortly after the jury returned 11 guilty verdicts on charges related to possessing and creating indecent images of children.
He requested the court to consider a sentence that would allow Gates to remain free.
“The defendant is a broken man,” Hill-Baker said.
“He wishes to confront his actions now, as the alternative is too painful to bear.” The court granted a temporary adjournment for sentencing to allow probation officials to evaluate whether Gates is suitable to undertake a rehabilitation program for sex offenders within the community.
Judge Andrew Stubbs QC noted that the evidence indicating Gates had downloaded and kept numerous illegal images over an extended period was “compelling.” “He has been convicted of offences that raise serious concerns about his conduct, especially considering his past,” the judge stated.
“He has been passive about this issue.
Do not assume that bail implies a lenient sentence next time.” Gates, who resides on Thoresby Road in Acomb, denied all charges.
After the verdicts, he covered his face and trembled slightly in the dock as the judge postponed sentencing.
He was released on bail until February 24, when he will face sentencing, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.
The prosecution intends to request a sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future activities and prevent further offenses.
The jury was told that the offenses of indecent assault and gross indecency occurred in 2003.
The police had previously raided his home on March 10, 2015, discovering illegal images on an iPod and a memory stick in his bedroom, along with a hard drive containing downloaded images from April 19, 2012, to March 2, 2015.
