ROBERT CUBBON FROM DOUGLAS JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN THE ISLE OF MAN

In March 2014, a disturbing case involving the possession of highly illegal and disturbing images came before the courts in the Isle of Man. Robert Stephen Cubbon, a 48-year-old resident of Empress Drive, Douglas, was found guilty of possessing indecent photographs of children, some as young as four years old, along with images depicting rape and incest. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the material involved and the serious implications for the community.

According to court records, Cubbon admitted to four charges related to the possession of these illicit images, which spanned from June 2001 to February 2002. The evidence against him was uncovered after a routine vehicle scrapping process. In January of the previous year, a scrap metal company, Manx Metals, was preparing Cubbon’s car for dismantling when an employee discovered a floppy disk and a paperback sex novel titled 'Slave World' inside the vehicle.

Upon inspection, the employee viewed the contents of the floppy disk and found it contained 19 pornographic images depicting young girls being sexually abused. The images were particularly disturbing, including scenes of incest involving children as young as four years old and rape. The discovery prompted immediate action, and police were called to investigate.

On February 14, police officers arrested Cubbon and seized additional floppy disks and a computer from his residence. During police interviews, Cubbon maintained that he was unaware of the images' existence. He claimed that he had purchased second-hand disks and that the illicit material must have been on them without his knowledge. However, Detective Constable Alan Killip examined the contents of the seized disks and found explicit images of young girls being sexually assaulted by adult men. The investigation revealed that Cubbon’s computer had been used to surf the internet extensively, with evidence suggesting searches for sex-related sites.

Despite denying the charges in two further interviews, Cubbon eventually admitted to viewing the images out of idle curiosity, acknowledging that he was the only person who had used his computer. His defense lawyer, Advocate Paul O’Neill, acknowledged that there was little mitigation available in such a serious case. He emphasized that Cubbon had not distributed the images, which were readily accessible and easily downloaded from the internet. O’Neill described Cubbon as having lost his self-respect, his home, and his family, standing before the court with his life in disarray.

The prosecution highlighted the disturbing nature of the images and the need for a strong judicial response. The court was told that the defendant’s actions demonstrated a clear problem with child pornography, and that he was in need of professional help. The judge, Deemster Doyle, emphasized the importance of sending a firm message to the community that possession of such images would not be tolerated. The court sentenced Cubbon to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years, ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all the images and computer equipment, and underscored the seriousness of the offense.

In delivering the verdict, Deemster Doyle stated that the images were deeply disturbing and that the court must take a firm stance against such offenses. He acknowledged that while rehabilitation might be possible, it would require time and professional support. The court’s decision aimed to reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and to protect the community from future harm.