GEORGE GAMBLE'S BRIDGWATER CRIME: PAEDOPHILE PENSIONER SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
In February 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Geoffrey Gamble, a 66-year-old man with a long history of sex offences dating back to the 1970s.Gamble, a pensioner residing at a bail hostel on Taunton Road in Bridgwater, was found guilty of downloading and possessing images of child abuse, leading to a significant prison sentence.
Gamble had been released from prison on license, under strict conditions that included a sexual harm prevention order.
This order explicitly prohibited him from using any electronic device capable of connecting to the internet, reflecting the serious concern over his potential to reoffend.
Despite these restrictions, Gamble openly discussed his intentions with fellow residents at the hostel, claiming he was planning to purchase a mobile phone.
He also mentioned the websites he intended to visit to download and view illegal images, raising alarm among those around him.
The prosecution, led by Rachel Drake, detailed that on May 11 of the previous year, Gamble went out and bought a mobile phone without notifying the authorities.
When the device was eventually recovered, investigators discovered a troubling collection of images stored on it.
Among these were one Category A image, which is considered the most severe, along with three Category B images and 82 Category C images, which are also classified as illegal.
The search history on the phone further revealed that Gamble had conducted multiple searches related to illegal images, indicating ongoing interest and intent.
It was also highlighted during the court proceedings that Gamble had a prior criminal record, including multiple convictions for indecent assaults on teenagers, underscoring a pattern of predatory behavior spanning decades.
Judge Erik Salomonsen delivered the sentence, condemning Gamble’s actions and history.
He stated, “You are a 66-year-old sex offender.
You started offending in 1970 and you have carried on.
It is abundantly clear you’ve had an unhealthy interest in children all this time.
You were released to a bail hostel and foolishly said you were going to get a phone and use it to look at illegal images.
You then bought a phone and did just that.” Gamble was sentenced to 16 months in prison solely for the possession of the Category A images, with no additional penalties imposed for the Category B and C images.
Furthermore, he was placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life, reflecting the gravity of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
