DAVID ROBERTS FROM PETERLEE SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Peterlee, David Roberts, a 50-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, has been convicted of multiple serious offences related to child exploitation and possession of indecent images. The case was brought to light after police executed a search warrant at Roberts' residence in Peterlee in October, following intelligence suggesting he might have been involved in inappropriate sexual communications with a minor.

During the search, law enforcement officers uncovered a significant amount of evidence, including several electronic devices such as Play Station consoles, bank cards, and other personal items. Prosecutor Christopher Bevan explained that although police investigations later confirmed that Roberts was not actively engaged in sexual communication with a child at the time, the evidence found was nonetheless disturbing. One of the bank cards recovered was registered under an alias not linked to Roberts, which constituted a breach of his sex offender registration obligations. Additionally, Roberts had used multiple aliases on his gaming devices, none of which he had registered with authorities.

Further analysis of the Play Station devices revealed a disturbing collection of indecent images of children. The total number of images was 281, with 70 classified as the most serious category, and an additional 39 images deemed prohibited under law. The investigation also uncovered that Roberts had used the alias ‘Sandy Sorebottom’ to communicate with other users in a sexually explicit manner. Between July 11 and October 14 of the previous year, Roberts engaged in conversations that involved discussions about children, some of which included the exchange of indecent images. These conversations were initiated by Roberts himself, and some of the illicit images were sent to the profile associated with the alias.

When questioned by police, Roberts largely responded with “no comment,” but he did admit that using an alias to obtain a bank card was an offence. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of possessing indecent images of children, one count of possessing prohibited images, two counts of failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements, and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child.

Roberts has a long history of criminal activity, with five previous convictions totaling 16 offences, five of which involved sexual misconduct. His most recent conviction before this case was in 2005, when he received a combined sentence of 84 months in prison for sexual activity with a child and taking indecent photographs of a minor. Following that conviction, Roberts was placed under indefinite notification requirements as a sex offender, a status that remains in effect.

Judge Jo Kidd, presiding over the case, expressed her deep concern upon reviewing the evidence. She described the images shared by Roberts, which included the rape of children as young as three, and noted that Roberts had used the PlayStation platform to communicate with like-minded individuals, a factor she described as “significantly aggravated” his culpability. Despite his prior convictions, the judge observed that Roberts appeared to have maintained his sexual interest in children.

In sentencing, Judge Kidd imposed a prison term of 32 months. She emphasized that Roberts would continue to be subject to the existing indefinite registration requirement, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The court also adjourned proceedings to consider additional restrictions that could be imposed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at further safeguarding the community.

In a separate but related case from April 2005, Roberts was jailed for five years after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with underage girls. The court heard that Roberts initially contacted a 12-year-old girl through a satellite television dating channel, exchanging texts and eventually meeting her at his home for sexual activity. When their relationship ended, Roberts turned his attention to her 14-year-old friend, with whom he also engaged in sexual acts. The prosecution revealed that Roberts believed the girl was in her 20s during their initial contact, but later learned she was only 12. Both girls did not report the incidents to police at the time.

Roberts admitted to having sex with both girls, and the court noted that he had not faced any prior police complaints regarding these offences. His defense argued that Roberts was immature for his age and otherwise a “reasonably good citizen,” but the court found his actions to be serious violations. As a result, Roberts was placed on the sex offenders’ register and prohibited from contacting children for a period of seven years, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct.