RETIRED VICAR JAILED AFTER TELLING POLICE HE 'DIDN'T KNOW' IMAGES ON LAPTOP WERE CHILD ABUSE
2026-06-19 00:07: A former church vicar has been incarcerated after authorities discovered he possessed illegal images depicting children.During an unannounced police inspection, officers found the illicit images on a laptop left open.
Andrew Robinson explained to officers that he had not believed these images were unlawful.
The 77-year-old, from Talybont-on-Usk in Brecon, appeared in court in April 2025 and admitted to possessing indecent images of minors.
Last year, he was given a sentence that was suspended, required to register as a sex offender, and placed under a sexual harm prevention order, according to Wales Online.
On Tuesday, June 9, detectives visited his home for a routine check of his electronic devices and discovered animated graphic images of children engaged in sexual acts with adults on his open laptop.
When questioned, Robinson stated, "I didn't think these were illegal." After his arrest, he remarked, "I have nothing else to do." He was charged with possessing prohibited images of children and appeared at Merthyr Magistrates' Court on June 10.
The 77-year-old pleaded guilty to the child sex offence and breaching his sexual harm prevention order.
His previous suspended sentence was activated, resulting in a 12-month and 12-week prison term and a £187 fine.
Detective Sergeant Paula Rutherford commented: "Robinson claimed he was unaware that possessing animated images of children engaged in sexual activity was illegal.
The law is clear, and Robinson's actions are not only unlawful but also deeply immoral and disturbing." She stressed the importance of monitoring online behavior to safeguard children, adding: "Viewing indecent images can often be a first step toward committing serious sexual offences against minors, and it is our duty to protect children from harm." The piece concludes by commending the law enforcement team's efforts in bringing Robinson to justice.
--------------------------- 2025-12-19 02:47: A retired Church of England vicar has been sentenced to prison after police found illegal images of minors on his laptop during an unexpected home visit.
Seventy-seven-year-old Andrew Robinson, residing in Talybont‑on‑Usk, Brecon, told law enforcement officers that he “didn’t think they were illegal” when the materials were discovered.
Robinson previously appeared in court in April 2025, admitting to possession of indecent images of children and receiving a sentence that was suspended.
Additionally, he was registered as a sex offender and subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
As part of his registration, Robinson was under regular supervision by Dyfed‑Powys Police’s offender management team, which conducts unannounced checks on individuals considered to pose an ongoing risk.
On June 9, police officers visited his home to perform a routine check of his electronic devices.
During the search, they found an open laptop displaying animated graphic images of children involved in sexual acts with adults.
When questioned about the images, Robinson stated, “I didn't think these were illegal.” After his arrest, he expressed, “I have nothing else to do.” The following day, June 10, he appeared before Merthyr Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited image of a child and breaching his sexual harm prevention order.
Consequently, the suspended sentence from his previous conviction was activated, leading to a prison term of 12 months and 12 weeks.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of £187.
