DARTFORD MAN RUSSELL CHAMBERS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES SCANDAL IN DARTFORD

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Dartford community, 40-year-old Russel Chambers, a resident of Turner Court in Dartford, narrowly avoided imprisonment after admitting to serious charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children.

On December 16, at Maidstone Crown Court, Chambers appeared before Judge Jeremy Gold to face the consequences of his actions. The court heard that Chambers had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing indecent images of children, one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image, and one count of creating an indecent image of a child. Despite the gravity of these charges, the judge opted for a community-based sentence rather than immediate incarceration.

As part of his sentence, Chambers was handed a 36-month community order. This order requires him to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offender Groupwork Programme for a minimum of 80 sessions, a measure aimed at rehabilitation and monitoring his behavior moving forward. Judge Gold emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “What you have to appreciate is when you download those disgusting images doing so perpetuates the sexual abuse of children and that’s what makes it such a serious matter.”

He further warned Chambers that a suspended sentence was appropriate under the circumstances but made it clear that any re-offending within the next three years would result in a prison sentence. “If you re-offend during the next three years you will go to prison which many people will say is what you deserve,” the judge declared.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that indecent images of children were stored on various electronic devices owned by Chambers. The images were categorized into different levels of severity, with a total of 386 level one images, 26 level two images, 27 level three images, 35 level four images, and five level five images—the most serious classification.

Defense lawyer Dickon Reid highlighted that Chambers’ guilty plea and his previously good character were mitigating factors. “His greatest mitigation is his guilty plea and he is of good character,” Reid stated. “He is 40 years of age, of impeccable character until this point. He now has the social stigma. His wife knows about it and his family knows about it.”

In addition to the community order, Chambers was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and to pay prosecution costs amounting to £800. The court also issued a forfeiture order, confiscating Chambers’ media player, hard drive, laptop, and computer tower to prevent further misuse of electronic devices in connection with the offenses.