'Habitual' collector of child abuse pictures jailed after arrest in Portsmouth workplace

Dominic Robinson, of Midway Road, Colchester, was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment after appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children, attempting sexual communication with a child, and encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence.

Police searched Robinson’s home on January 28, 2019, after intelligence suggested he had been uploading indecent images of children and taking part in online conversations about child abuse.

He was arrested on the same day in Portsmouth at his place of work.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) searched Robinson’s three phones, laptop, tablet, and several cameras, uncovering more than 1,000 child abuse images.

These pictures included category A images, which are classed as featuring the most serious types of abuse.

Several videos of category A and B were also discovered, as well as sexualised communications with children.

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DC Stephen Hill of Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘Behind every indecent image of a child is a vulnerable victim and these crimes are among the most appalling that we investigate.

‘Robinson is a habitual collector of indecent images that include category A, the most serious kind, for his own sexual gratification.

‘He was found to not only have been in possession of such images, but also actively sought to communicate with children.

‘Tackling online viewing of indecent images and safeguarding children online is a priority for police and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.’

Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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