RUBEN SORLI FROM PADIHAM ESCAPES JAIL IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Padiham, Ruben Sorli, a 41-year-old private tutor, was found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children, yet he narrowly avoided a prison sentence. The incident, which came to light in February 2003, involved Sorli downloading explicit material from the internet, a revelation that has severely tarnished his reputation and career.

During the court proceedings at Burnley Crown Court, it was revealed that Sorli, who resides with his Spanish parents on Scott Street in Padiham, had admitted to five charges related to the creation of indecent images of a child. These offenses spanned from January to November of the previous year. The court heard that Sorli was a self-employed tutor, teaching mathematics and English to children from the Burnley and Padiham areas at his home. Prior to these events, he was earning approximately £20,000 annually, but his income had plummeted to just £21 per week following the case's publicity.

In sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett, who referenced guidelines from the Court of Appeal for child pornography cases, emphasized that the typical starting point for such offenses was imprisonment. However, he also noted that Sorli's pre-sentence report indicated a low risk of reoffending and that he was not considered a threat to children. Despite this, the judge imposed strict conditions, including a ban on any contact with children under 16 unless accompanied by an adult over 21. Additionally, Sorli was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years and to participate in a Sex Offenders’ Programme as part of a three-year community rehabilitation order.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the hard drive from Sorli’s computer, along with the explicit images seized by police during the investigation. The police action was part of a broader international operation, known as Operation Ore, targeting online child pornography and pay-per-view websites based in the United States. The investigation was initiated after information was received from the FBI, leading to a localized Lancashire inquiry codenamed Operation Nickel.

Sorli’s arrest followed a police raid on his home, where officers discovered 45 obscene images of children on his computer. The case was part of a wider crackdown on online child exploitation, highlighting the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat such heinous crimes. Despite the severity of the charges, Sorli was spared imprisonment but faces ongoing restrictions and monitoring, with his personal and professional life significantly impacted by the court’s decision.