ROBERT PLUMBLEY FROM LLANIDLOES SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN POWYS

In April 2022, a serious case involving a registered sex offender from Llanidloes came to light when authorities uncovered disturbing evidence on his personal device. During an unannounced police visit to his residence in Llanidloes on April 8, 2021, officers conducted a search of Robert Plumbley's phone, which revealed troubling content that raised significant concerns.

Detective Constable Michelle Beeson, who led the investigation, examined the search history and found material that alarmed her. The court was informed that the search terms included words like 'lads,' accompanied by thumbnail images depicting naked minors under the age of 18. These images were classified as Category C, indicating a serious level of concern regarding their content.

At the time of the search, Robert Plumbley, aged 46, was present at his Llanidloes home. The police seized his phone for further analysis, which confirmed the presence of two indecent images of children. The images were linked to a period between November 1, 2020, and March 3, 2021. The investigation revealed that Plumbley had committed the offense of making a Category C indecent photograph of a child, a serious violation under the law.

It was also noted that Plumbley was subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order issued in 2009, highlighting his previous history and the ongoing concern regarding his conduct. The court proceedings took place on April 19, where Plumbley pleaded guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Rebecca Ross emphasized the gravity of the case, noting the previous order and the ongoing risk posed by Plumbley. The magistrates, after careful consideration of the evidence and reports, decided to impose a community order lasting 24 months. This order requires Plumbley to attend 31 sessions of the Horizon sex offender programme and complete 250 hours of unpaid work.

Chair of the magistrates, Nerys Jones, acknowledged the thoroughness of the probation service's report and explained that the community order was deemed appropriate given the seriousness of the offense. She warned Plumbley that any breach of the order could result in an increased sentence, potentially including imprisonment.

In addition to the community order, Plumbley was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95. He resides on Foundry Terrace in Llanidloes, and the court emphasized the importance of monitoring his compliance with the imposed conditions to prevent further harm.