ROBERT TURNBULL FROM STAPLEFORD AND TROWBRIDGE CAUGHT WITH INDECENT IMAGES WHILE ON REHAB AND COURT ORDERS

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over two years, Robert Turnbull, a resident of Stapleford and Trowbridge, has been found to possess and create indecent images of children despite being under supervised rehabilitation programs. His case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring sex offenders and preventing reoffending.

Back in March 2011, Robert Bruce Turnbull, then 45 years old and living on Dursley Road in Trowbridge, was convicted of possessing a significant number of indecent images of children. The court heard that he had accumulated a total of 151 such images. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to complete a three-year community order that included participation in a sex offenders' rehabilitation program. This program was intended to help him address his offending behavior and reduce the risk of reoffending.

However, despite these measures, authorities continued to monitor Turnbull’s activities. Under the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), his computer usage was closely scrutinized. In January of the following year, police conducted a routine check on his monitored device and uncovered a troubling discovery: 18 new indecent images of children had been added to his collection. This revelation was deeply concerning, as it indicated a relapse or continued engagement in illegal activities despite his participation in the rehabilitation program.

Turnbull, now aged 47, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images. Specifically, he admitted to three offences of making indecent images, possessing 18 images of children, and possessing two extreme pornographic images, one of which involved an animal. His case was brought before Salisbury Crown Court, where Judge Douglas Field described the reoffending during the rehabilitation process as “very serious.” The judge emphasized that Turnbull still exhibited a “deep-seated problem” with his addiction to accessing pornography, which posed a significant risk to the community.

In light of these findings, Judge Field sentenced Turnbull to five months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was placed under supervision for two years and was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for a period of seven years. The judge issued a stern warning, stating, “You have another chance, if you have another fall from grace you understand what will happen.” This statement underscored the seriousness with which the court viewed his repeated violations and the importance of ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation.

Earlier, in December 2012, Turnbull’s case was again brought to attention when it was revealed that he was a year into his sex offenders’ rehabilitation program when police discovered more indecent images of children on his computer. The court heard that he had been convicted of possessing 151 images and was subject to a three-year community order. As part of his SOPO, his computer was under surveillance, and the police’s January check uncovered additional illicit material. Turnbull admitted to three offences of making indecent images, possessing 18 images of children, and possessing two extreme pornographic images involving an animal. The magistrates in Salisbury decided to refer his case to the Crown Court, where he was scheduled to appear on January 14.

Earlier still, in March 2011, Turnbull’s criminal activities came to light when he turned himself in after mistakenly believing that Russian police were investigating him. His actions led to a court appearance at Chippenham magistrates court, where he was sentenced to a 36-month supervised community order. The court heard that he had initially contacted the police himself, attempting to report his own activities. Prosecutor Andrew Pritchard detailed that Turnbull had tried to access a Russian paedophilia site but was unsuccessful. During the investigation, authorities found that his computer contained a total of 130 images at the lowest level of severity, along with additional images at higher levels, including nine at the most severe level involving extreme pornography with animals.

Turnbull was also ordered to pay costs of £80 and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years, reflecting the ongoing concern about his potential risk to the community. His case underscores the persistent difficulties law enforcement faces in rehabilitating sex offenders and preventing further harm, especially when individuals reoffend despite supervision and monitoring measures.