ROBERT CLAY FROM WINSHILL SENTENCED IN BURTON COURT FOR REPEATED BREACHES AND CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In a serious case heard at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday, February 17, Robert Clay, a resident of Alexandra Road in Winshill, faced justice for multiple violations of court orders and possession of indecent images of children. The proceedings revealed a troubling pattern of behavior that demonstrated a blatant disregard for legal restrictions designed to protect the public, especially vulnerable children.

Clay, aged 29, was accused of deliberately flouting court-imposed restrictions that prohibited him from accessing unmonitored internet-enabled devices and from deleting his internet browsing history. These restrictions were part of a comprehensive sexual harm prevention order issued to him following previous convictions related to child exploitation. Despite these measures, Clay was found to have engaged in activities that directly contravened these orders, raising serious concerns about his ongoing risk to children.

The court heard that Clay had been previously jailed for similar offenses and was recalled to prison just three months after his initial release in 2018 due to breaches of his sexual harm prevention order. His latest appearance was marked by admissions of guilt to seven separate breaches of this order, along with three charges related to the creation and possession of 15 indecent images of children, which he committed between 2019 and 2020.

Prosecutor Simon Rippon detailed the extent of Clay’s violations. He explained that Clay had contacted his police risk assessor in February 2020 to inform her that he had purchased a new phone, claiming he had given his old device to an uncle and performed a factory reset to erase all data. However, subsequent investigations revealed that Clay maintained multiple social media accounts and had recently acquired an Xbox console connected to the internet, which contained a deleted message. During a house visit, Clay showed the risk assessor his Xbox for inspection, and officers discovered additional prohibited items, including a handheld CB radio under a blanket, a laptop, and a tablet— all of which were internet-enabled.

Further examination of the devices uncovered that the laptop had a hard drive cleaner installed and was used to browse privately, indicating an attempt to conceal activity. In August 2020, Clay contacted his risk assessor again, claiming he had a new phone. When checked, the device contained disturbing search terms such as “nudist beach family,” which raised alarm among investigators. Clay’s police interview was candid, and he admitted to breaching his court orders and creating indecent images of children, explicitly acknowledging his ongoing sexual interest in minors and his efforts to circumvent legal restrictions.

Judge Graeme Smith addressed Clay directly, stating, “You have been open about the fact you have an ongoing sexual interest in boys but you have shown risk by breaching your order.” The judge emphasized the gravity of Clay’s actions and the danger he posed to children. As a result, Clay was sentenced to 32 months in prison, and his sexual harm prevention order was made indefinite, reflecting the court’s determination to prevent further harm.

This case underscores the persistent challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring and managing individuals with a sexual interest in children, especially those who actively seek to evade restrictions and continue harmful behaviors despite legal prohibitions.