DEREK OSBOURNE SHOCKS KINGSTON WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION

In October 2013, Derek Osbourne, a former leader of Kingston upon Thames Council, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to possessing and distributing a vast collection of indecent images of children. Osbourne, aged 59 and a resident of New Malden, had previously served as a Liberal Democrat councillor since 1986, with terms as council leader in 1997-1998 and again in 2003. His political career also included a run as a parliamentary candidate for Kingston upon Thames in 1992, challenging then-Chancellor Norman Lamont.

Osbourne’s arrest and subsequent conviction marked a shocking fall from grace. On June 11, 2013, he was taken into custody at his home in New Malden, and the very next day, he resigned from both the Liberal Democrat party and his position on the Kingston council. The case against him revealed the disturbing extent of his involvement with child exploitation material.

At Southwark Crown Court, prosecutor Peter Zinner detailed the severity of Osbourne’s crimes, stating that he possessed approximately 5,000 indecent images of children. Among these were 50 images classified as level five, the most extreme category, depicting children as young as three years old being subjected to sexual acts, including rape and violence. The collection also included 868 images of sexual activity involving minors and 152 images of bestiality. The prosecution emphasized that some of the material showed children being raped or subjected to serious sexual violence, highlighting the heinous nature of the offenses.

Osbourne pleaded guilty to 17 counts, which included making, possessing, and distributing indecent images of children. The charges also involved the creation of images, with the law defining 'making' as causing an indecent photograph of a child to exist on a computer, whether by downloading or printing. The court was told that the material was shared with other paedophiles, further aggravating the case.

During the hearing, Judge Alistair McCreath acknowledged the gravity of Osbourne’s actions, stating that a prison sentence was a “virtual certainty.” The judge explained that a comprehensive pre-sentence report was necessary to assess the risk Osbourne might pose, and he scheduled a follow-up hearing for October 29. Despite the bail, the judge warned Osbourne that his chances of avoiding prison were slim, emphasizing that the volume and nature of the offenses made a custodial sentence almost inevitable.

Throughout the proceedings, Osbourne showed no visible emotion, dressed in a dark blue suit and pink shirt. He declined to comment when approached by reporters after the hearing. The court’s decision was supported by statements from law enforcement officials, including Acting Detective Chief Inspector Keith Braithwaite, who underscored the importance of pursuing individuals involved in the creation and distribution of child abuse images. Braithwaite remarked that Osbourne’s secret life starkly contrasted with his public persona and that his conviction served as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat such crimes.

Following his arrest, Osbourne’s actions were condemned by colleagues, including Liz Green, who succeeded him as council leader. Green expressed shock and sadness over the revelations, noting that Osbourne was highly regarded by many across political lines. She also voiced her support for increased government funding to enhance police efforts, victim support, and child protection initiatives. The case continues to be a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in safeguarding vulnerable children.