ROBIN HICKEY FROM HEREFORD AND SOUTH NEWINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENCY IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Hereford and South Newington, Robin Hickey, a former chorister at Hereford Cathedral, has been convicted of possessing indecent images of children. The incident, which came to light in Worcester Crown Court, has not only tarnished his reputation but also brought significant legal consequences.

Robin Hickey, now residing at Brick Cottage in South Newington, London, was sentenced to a three-year community order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years. The judge, Richard Rundell, addressed Hickey directly during the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He stated, “Normal people do not watch these films,” and highlighted that the punishment was intended to help Hickey confront underlying issues that appeared to be deeply rooted.

Judge Rundell further advised Hickey that participation in a sex offenders’ treatment program was essential, indicating that there were significant concerns about his psychological state that needed addressing. The court proceedings revealed that Hickey, aged 34 at the time, was involved in various business ventures, including graphic design firms, and had previously sponsored the 2009 Three Choirs Festival. His reputation as a successful businessman was now overshadowed by the allegations and conviction.

The case was initiated after Hickey’s arrest in Hereford in January, which caused considerable shame and distress to his family. During the arrest, police also seized a laptop from his vehicle. An investigation into the device uncovered a disturbing six-minute film depicting a girl and a boy, both approximately ten years old. In addition, authorities found eight extreme pornographic images involving adults and animals, further compounding the severity of the charges.

Prosecutor Charles Hardy explained that Hickey, a former student at Hereford Cathedral School, initially admitted to viewing adult pornography online but denied any involvement with the child indecency material, claiming that others had access to his computer. However, he later acknowledged that he had watched the first 35 seconds of the film, which did not contain explicit content, and expressed confusion over why others had used his computer.

Hickey’s social activities, which included entertaining clients in hotel rooms with alcohol, were cited by his defense as a possible context for the incident. Clare Wilks, representing Hickey, explained that his success as a businessman involved social gatherings that sometimes led to the downloading of inappropriate material. Despite his initial denial, Hickey eventually pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, based on the fact that he had viewed the material on one occasion.

In addition to the community order and sex offender registration, Hickey, a father of two, was disqualified from working with children in any capacity. The court also ordered him to pay £500 in costs. It was noted that Hickey’s name appears on a 1989 recording of The Psalms of David, made during his time as a chorister at Hereford Cathedral, a detail that underscores his long-standing connection to the community and the gravity of his fall from grace.