JOHN ROBERT SHAW JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN MARGATE AND CLIFTONVILLE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Margate and Cliftonville, John Robert Shaw, aged 58, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after authorities uncovered a significant collection of illegal images depicting child abuse on his personal computer. The sentencing took place at Canterbury Crown Court last week, following a detailed investigation that revealed Shaw possessed a total of 1,426 images and videos, some of which depicted acts of sadism and bestiality, highlighting the severity of his crimes.

Further investigation by the Gazette uncovered that Shaw was employed at St Paul’s Community Trust, located on St Paul’s Road in Cliftonville, during the period from June 2009 to March 2010. At the time, Shaw was on licence for a previous conviction related to manslaughter, raising serious concerns about his access to vulnerable children and the community. Photographs obtained by the Gazette show Shaw at the community centre, engaging with children and families, none of whom appeared to be aware of his criminal past.

Elaine Phillips, the centre manager, aged 43, confirmed that she was aware of Shaw's prior conviction after conducting a Criminal Records Bureau check. Shaw himself had disclosed this information during a conversation, which she said she took into account when hiring him. Despite this, Phillips expressed her shock upon learning of the recent allegations, emphasizing that Shaw was employed solely as a cook. She described him as punctual, tidy, and possessing a dry sense of humor, and noted that his role did not involve direct contact with children on a regular basis.

St Paul’s Community Trust, which also hosts groups for children as young as three years old and is associated with Sure Start, is equipped with CCTV cameras. However, Shaw, who also contributed to designing the centre's website, had access to a computer used for backing up CCTV recordings. Phillips explained, “He had a computer he used in the computer room which had access to the CCTV cameras,” indicating that Shaw’s access was monitored and limited.

Phillips further stated that Shaw’s interactions with children were minimal, primarily because most children were at school during his working hours, which ended at 3 pm. She added that Shaw occasionally helped with a tuck shop, where children bought sweets, but other staff members were always present during such activities. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised by others involved with the centre. Garry Wrigley, aged 48, who worked as a caretaker at the centre from April 2008 to April 2010 and often brought his children, aged 7 and 11, to the facility, expressed his discomfort. Wrigley stated, “I feel sick knowing my children were in contact with him and we were not told about his previous conviction for manslaughter. I would not have let them go there. He used to play-fight and mess about with the children there.”

Both Phillips and Patrick Ellisdin, the vicar of St Paul’s Church in Cliftonville and a trustee of the community trust, defended their decision to employ Shaw. Ellisdin emphasized the importance of giving individuals a second chance, saying, “I believe in giving everyone a second chance. Any indication of offences of a sexual nature with children and we would not be able to employ that person.”

It is important to note that Shaw’s employment at the community centre and his use of the venue’s computers were not directly linked to the ongoing child pornography investigation. Authorities continue to scrutinize the case, but the evidence against Shaw regarding the illegal images was sufficient to secure his conviction and subsequent imprisonment, raising serious questions about safeguarding and vetting procedures at community facilities in Margate and Cliftonville.