ALAN ROBERTS AND SHOCKING LIBRARY OFFENSES IN OXFORD

A known sex offender, Alan Roberts, who is prohibited from entering any library within Oxfordshire, caused a disturbance in court by loudly expressing his disdain for the British justice system. After losing his temper during the hearing, Roberts was promptly taken into custody and sent to the cells. His outburst included shouting that British justice 'stinks,' a comment that reflected his frustration and anger.

During the proceedings, Judge Michael Gledhill KC expressed serious concern regarding Roberts' apparent intentions. The judge highlighted that a probation pre-sentence report indicated Roberts had expressed a desire to 'volunteer in any capacity that makes access to young boys easier.' This revelation prompted the judge to issue a stern warning, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children. He stated, 'The authorities and the charities doing work in this area must be made absolutely clear that Alan Jack Roberts should not be involved in any way – directly or indirectly – he must not have an opportunity of going anywhere near young boys.' The judge further underscored the significant risk involved in allowing Roberts to participate in any volunteer activities involving children.

Roberts, who is 73 years old, was not present in the courtroom to hear these remarks because he had already been taken into custody at the start of the hearing. His disruptive behavior included repeatedly interrupting both the prosecutor and the judge, which led to his removal from the courtroom. From behind the glass of the dock, Roberts shouted that he could not hear what was being said and claimed he had 'no idea what is going on here today.' When the judge made a comment, Roberts responded sarcastically, saying, 'Thanks very much if that’s your attitude.'

He later claimed to be under extreme stress and suggested that he had informed 'them'—presumably the authorities or court officials—that he would struggle to maintain his composure in court. From his position in the dock, Roberts declared, 'If this is British justice it stinks; stinks.' His muffled shouts continued even after he was escorted out by a custody officer, with witnesses hearing him repeat the word 'bull***t.'

The court proceedings revealed a troubling history. Prosecutor Michael Speak recounted Roberts' criminal background, which dates back to the early 1980s when he was convicted and imprisoned for indecent assault. More recently, Roberts appeared before the court in 2016, when he was sentenced for using library computers to search for indecent images of children. Two years prior to that, he was found guilty of breaching a sexual harm prevention order issued in 2016, which was intended to restrict his internet access.

On Monday, Mr. Speak explained that digital devices seized during Roberts' 2019 arrest were not analyzed until 2021. When they were examined, authorities discovered a small number of child sex abuse images categorized as B and C. The court was informed that Roberts had installed software on his computer that could be used to wipe data, complicating the investigation. Additionally, staff at two Oxford libraries had contacted police after observing Roberts using library computers, which was a breach of the court-ordered restrictions, as the desktop computers used in the libraries do not retain internet browsing history.

Roberts' address was listed as HMP Bullingdon at his first hearing in the magistrates’ court. He spent nearly a year in remand custody awaiting trial, until he was granted bail last summer. He ultimately pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images and breaching the sexual harm prevention order.

In his defense, lawyer Gordana Austin explained that Roberts has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and suffers from health issues including sleep apnea and high blood pressure. She emphasized that he had been 'extremely stressed' about the court proceedings.

Roberts' professional background included work as a music teacher until his 1980s conviction, after which he took on roles such as a bus and coach driver, a computer literacy trainer, and a piano tuner. Despite his varied employment history, his criminal record and behavior in court have raised significant concerns.

Judge Gledhill sentenced Roberts to a two-year community order as an alternative to immediate imprisonment. The judge noted that it was 'not in the public interest today to send him back to prison,' considering the nearly 12 months Roberts had already spent on remand—equivalent to a two-year prison sentence. The judge also described Roberts as a 'menace to libraries' due to his unauthorized use of library computers, which violated the restrictions placed upon him.

As part of his community order, Roberts is required to complete up to 60 sessions of rehabilitation activities with the probation service, aimed at addressing his behavior and preventing future offenses.