ROSS McFARLANE FROM STOKE POGES JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BUCKS
| Red Rose Database
Stoke Poges Child Sexual Abuser
In a recent and highly disturbing case, Ross McFarlane, a former professional golfer and well-known Sky Sports presenter, has been sentenced to prison for multiple breaches of court orders related to child sex offenses. The incidents took place in and around Stoke Poges, where McFarlane resides, and the legal proceedings occurred at Aylesbury Crown Court in Buckinghamshire.
McFarlane, aged 52, had previously been subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) following his conviction in January 2014 for possessing 162 indecent images of children. This order, issued on January 30, 2014, prohibited him from being in contact with children under 16 without parental consent and mandated that he register as a sex offender for ten years. Despite these restrictions, McFarlane was found to have violated the court's directives just weeks after his initial sentencing.
The violations came to light when a mother, described as 'shocked and horrified,' contacted the police after learning about McFarlane’s previous conviction. Her concern was prompted by her child's friendship with McFarlane’s son. It was reported that McFarlane was caught alone with two children, an act explicitly forbidden by the court order. This breach was particularly alarming given his prior admission of possessing indecent images and the court's explicit restrictions.
At the hearing, the court heard that McFarlane’s latest offenses involved being alone with minors, which directly contravened the terms of his SOPO. The court also revealed that McFarlane had used his Xbox gaming console to access the internet in an attempt to evade police monitoring of his online activity. This behavior demonstrated a pattern of attempting to conceal his illicit interests.
Judge Francis Sheridan delivered a stern judgment, sentencing McFarlane to 18 months in prison—six months for each breach, to run concurrently. Additionally, he activated a six-month suspended sentence, which would be served consecutively, citing McFarlane’s 'established pattern' of interest in paedophilic matters. The judge emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, 'You had a phenomenally good career. You were a presenter on Sky Sports and other channels. Because of your interest in child pornography, you have thrown all of that away. The work dried up, of course it did. They’re entitled to protect their organization and children.'
Furthermore, McFarlane was ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from two local schools attended by his children for a period of six years. This restriction aimed to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the children and their families, preventing any potential risk or discomfort. The judge remarked that such measures are designed to protect children, not to put them at further risk, and suggested that school meetings might need to be held off-site if McFarlane’s presence was deemed inappropriate.
Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for Sky Sports confirmed that McFarlane would no longer be associated with the company, effectively ending his professional relationship due to his convictions. This decision underscores the serious repercussions of his actions and the company's stance on safeguarding children.
It is important to note that this is not McFarlane’s first encounter with the law regarding similar offenses. In January 2014, he was caught with child abuse images for a second time, just four months after his initial conviction. During that period, he was found searching for terms like 'pre-teen models,' 'drunk teens,' and girls as young as seven, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.
His earlier conviction in March 2012 involved making indecent images of children, which resulted in a community order and the imposition of a SOPO. Despite this, subsequent investigations revealed that McFarlane continued to access disturbing websites, with police discovering over 180 images on his devices. His lawyer expressed concern that his employer was unaware of these proceedings, hinting at potential job loss.
Throughout the court proceedings, McFarlane’s ex-wife and others in the community watched as he faced the consequences of his actions. The judge’s comments highlighted the gravity of his breaches and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from individuals with such disturbing interests. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to prevent child exploitation and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to safeguard minors.
McFarlane, aged 52, had previously been subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) following his conviction in January 2014 for possessing 162 indecent images of children. This order, issued on January 30, 2014, prohibited him from being in contact with children under 16 without parental consent and mandated that he register as a sex offender for ten years. Despite these restrictions, McFarlane was found to have violated the court's directives just weeks after his initial sentencing.
The violations came to light when a mother, described as 'shocked and horrified,' contacted the police after learning about McFarlane’s previous conviction. Her concern was prompted by her child's friendship with McFarlane’s son. It was reported that McFarlane was caught alone with two children, an act explicitly forbidden by the court order. This breach was particularly alarming given his prior admission of possessing indecent images and the court's explicit restrictions.
At the hearing, the court heard that McFarlane’s latest offenses involved being alone with minors, which directly contravened the terms of his SOPO. The court also revealed that McFarlane had used his Xbox gaming console to access the internet in an attempt to evade police monitoring of his online activity. This behavior demonstrated a pattern of attempting to conceal his illicit interests.
Judge Francis Sheridan delivered a stern judgment, sentencing McFarlane to 18 months in prison—six months for each breach, to run concurrently. Additionally, he activated a six-month suspended sentence, which would be served consecutively, citing McFarlane’s 'established pattern' of interest in paedophilic matters. The judge emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, 'You had a phenomenally good career. You were a presenter on Sky Sports and other channels. Because of your interest in child pornography, you have thrown all of that away. The work dried up, of course it did. They’re entitled to protect their organization and children.'
Furthermore, McFarlane was ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from two local schools attended by his children for a period of six years. This restriction aimed to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the children and their families, preventing any potential risk or discomfort. The judge remarked that such measures are designed to protect children, not to put them at further risk, and suggested that school meetings might need to be held off-site if McFarlane’s presence was deemed inappropriate.
Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for Sky Sports confirmed that McFarlane would no longer be associated with the company, effectively ending his professional relationship due to his convictions. This decision underscores the serious repercussions of his actions and the company's stance on safeguarding children.
It is important to note that this is not McFarlane’s first encounter with the law regarding similar offenses. In January 2014, he was caught with child abuse images for a second time, just four months after his initial conviction. During that period, he was found searching for terms like 'pre-teen models,' 'drunk teens,' and girls as young as seven, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.
His earlier conviction in March 2012 involved making indecent images of children, which resulted in a community order and the imposition of a SOPO. Despite this, subsequent investigations revealed that McFarlane continued to access disturbing websites, with police discovering over 180 images on his devices. His lawyer expressed concern that his employer was unaware of these proceedings, hinting at potential job loss.
Throughout the court proceedings, McFarlane’s ex-wife and others in the community watched as he faced the consequences of his actions. The judge’s comments highlighted the gravity of his breaches and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from individuals with such disturbing interests. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to prevent child exploitation and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to safeguard minors.