RICHARD NEUBAUER SHOCKS ENGLISH BICKNOR WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL AT GLOUCESTERSHIRE COURT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the quiet community of English Bicknor, Richard Neubauer, a well-respected local businessman, faced serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The incident came to light during a police raid on his residence in Millway on August 24, 2013, revealing a troubling collection of nearly 1,500 illicit images stored on his computer.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Neubauer, aged 66, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of making indecent photographs and three counts of possessing extreme pornography. The court was informed that prior to the detailed analysis of his computer, Neubauer had already confessed to police. Prosecutor Janine Wood explained that during police interviews, Neubauer claimed that his wife had lost interest in sexual intimacy, but he insisted he had no interest in children. Instead, he admitted to viewing images of teenage girls in school uniforms, emphasizing that his interest was divorced from reality and not rooted in any actual abuse.

The court heard that Neubauer's comments reflected a disturbing detachment from the gravity of his actions. Judge Jamie Tabor QC expressed concern over Neubauer’s apparent lack of understanding regarding the severity of his offenses. The judge emphasized that children are often victims of heinous abuse by individuals who exploit their images for financial gain, and he condemned such acts as wicked and damaging to the victims.

Neubauer’s wife was present in court, standing by her husband despite the serious allegations. In mitigation, defense lawyer Nigel Richardson highlighted that this was the first blemish on Neubauer’s otherwise positive reputation. He described Neubauer as a man who had made significant contributions to his community and noted the emotional difficulty faced by his wife in supporting him through this ordeal. Richardson also pointed out that Neubauer, raised as a Christian, had discovered after his father’s death that his family was of Jewish descent. The couple had converted to Judaism and were well known within the Jewish community of the Forest of Dean.

Furthermore, the defense revealed that Neubauer had been experiencing panic attacks since 2001 and was prescribed Seroxat, a medication that can impair inhibitions. This context was presented to suggest that his mental health issues may have played a role in his actions.

Judge Tabor sentenced Neubauer to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. The judge also mandated that Neubauer pay costs of £250, and he must register as a sex offender. In his remarks, Judge Tabor expressed his disapproval of the images Neubauer had downloaded, stating that they depicted young children suffering severe sexual abuse. The judge added that if Neubauer had witnessed such abuse in the street, he would have likely intervened out of concern and care.

Overall, the case underscores the ongoing issues surrounding child exploitation and the importance of vigilance within communities to protect vulnerable victims from such heinous crimes.