MARTIN ROPER SENTENCED IN OXFORD FOR REPEATED INDECENT IMAGE OFFENSES
In March 2018, a distressing case unfolded at Oxford Crown Court involving Martin Roper, a resident of St Aldate’s in Oxford, who was found guilty of possessing indecent images and videos of children.The court proceedings revealed that Roper was caught with two indecent images depicting children as young as eight years old, along with a video of a child approximately 14 years old.
These illicit materials were discovered on his tablet device during a police investigation.
Prosecutor Naomi Perry highlighted the seriousness of the case, emphasizing that this was Roper’s second known offense of a similar nature.
She pointed out that Roper had previously been convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison by Swindon County Court in 2004 for possessing 16 indecent images of children.
The earlier offences dated back to 1999, indicating a long-standing pattern of offending behavior.
Roper appeared before Judge Ian Pringle, who addressed the court and the defendant directly.
The judge recounted that in March 2016, a police officer had arrested Roper on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children, which was confirmed by the evidence found on his device.
Judge Pringle remarked that Roper, aged 54 at the time, might have received a suspended sentence if this had been his first appearance before the courts.
However, given his prior convictions, the judge made it clear that leniency was not appropriate.
He stated, “In 2004, you were convicted of no less than 16 offences of indecent images and received 15 months imprisonment.
You clearly haven’t learned your lesson.” The judge emphasized that failing to impose a custodial sentence would be a failure of his public duty.
Consequently, Roper was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
As he was led away from the dock, Roper was visibly emotional and cried, reflecting the gravity of his conviction and the court’s decision to impose a custodial sentence for his repeated offences.
