EX-RED ARROWS PILOT ANDREW CUBIN LLOYD FROM WINDSOR ESCAPES PRISON DESPITE HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community and raised serious concerns about the safety of children, Andrew Cubin Lloyd, a former Red Arrows pilot now residing in Windsor, Berkshire, has narrowly avoided a prison sentence despite possessing a disturbing collection of child sexual abuse images and videos.

On May 30, Lloyd appeared before Swindon Crown Court to face charges related to the possession of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed that Lloyd, who has previously been known as Andrew Cubin, admitted to three counts of possessing such images, which included 48 in the most severe category depicting children being raped. The court heard that these images and videos were stored on a hard drive and a laptop seized from his residence in Kings Meadow, Crudwell, near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, following a police investigation.

The investigation was initiated in February of the previous year after authorities received a tip-off about two indecent images being uploaded to the internet from an IP address registered to Lloyd’s address. Officers promptly attended the scene and seized electronic devices for forensic analysis. The results were deeply disturbing: 48 Category A images and videos, involving children being raped, were discovered. Additionally, 39 Category B images, which depicted non-penetrative sexual acts with minors, and ten Category C images were also found. The severity of the material found underscores the gravity of Lloyd’s offenses.

During police interviews, Lloyd claimed that he was searching for images of his 14-year-old daughter, who tragically died in his arms in 2016. He alleged that she had uploaded photographs of herself in her underwear at the request of a male online before her death. However, prosecutor Robert Welling pointed out that Lloyd’s explanation did not account for the collection of images of underage boys, nor did it clarify why the images were organized into separate labeled folders on his hard drive. The evidence suggested a deliberate and systematic collection of illicit material involving both girls and boys.

Judge Cutler CBE addressed the court, emphasizing the seriousness of Lloyd’s crimes. He described the offenses as “a very serious matter” and “appalling and abhorrent in society.” The judge characterized Lloyd’s offending as “unique” and imposed a 36-month community order. As part of this order, Lloyd is required to complete a sexual offending rehabilitation program and 20 days of additional activities aimed at his rehabilitation. Furthermore, the court issued a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which will include restrictions such as preventing Lloyd from deleting his internet search history. The judge stated that these measures are intended to “reassure the public” and prevent future offenses.

In a related case from April 2022, Lloyd, then known as Andrew Cubin, pleaded guilty to possessing nearly 100 indecent images of children. The court heard that he had changed his name to Andrew Lloyd and was a highly decorated former Royal Air Force pilot, having flown in the Red Arrows and served for 20 years. Prosecutor Keith Ballinger explained that Wiltshire Police launched an investigation after receiving information about an IP address used to upload images. The police attended Lloyd’s residence in Malmesbury on February 17 of the previous year and arrested him. Lloyd reportedly told officers, “you can take my laptop, I used that,” and claimed he had removed all the images.

Further forensic analysis confirmed the presence of numerous indecent images, including 48 Category A images involving children in sexual acts, 39 Category B images of non-penetrative acts, and ten Category C images. Lloyd, who now resides in Windsor, was ordered to register as a sex offender at Bracknell Police Station within 72 hours. His case has been scheduled for sentencing at Swindon Crown Court on May 6, where a pre-sentence report will be prepared.

Lloyd’s background as a pilot is notable. He flew in the Red Arrows as Red 6, leading the synchronized display team, and previously piloted Jaguars and Hawks. He has boasted about completing over 500 display flights across the UK and has worked as a commercial airline captain for major airlines, flying Airbus A321, A320, and A319 aircraft. Additionally, he is involved in stunt flying for a private company. Despite his distinguished aviation career, his recent criminal conduct has cast a dark shadow over his reputation and raises serious questions about safeguarding and accountability.