PHILIP GILBERT FROM WESTON-SUPER-MARE JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND ONLINE FANTASIES IN BRISTOL AND HERTFORDSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Weston-super-Mare, Philip Gilbert, a 63-year-old supermarket worker employed at Waitrose, has been sentenced to prison after a series of heinous online activities involving child abuse images and explicit chats about sexual fantasies involving minors. The case was brought to light following a police investigation that uncovered a disturbing collection of illicit material and incriminating online conversations.

Gilbert, residing on Shrubbery Road in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in Bristol Crown Court. The charges included possession and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as sharing extreme pornography. The investigation initially focused on his activities in Hertfordshire, where he admitted to three counts of creating and three counts of distributing indecent images, along with one count of possessing extreme pornography. When authorities attempted to locate him, Gilbert went into hiding but was eventually found in Weston-super-Mare, where he confessed to additional offenses, including three counts of making indecent images and two counts of distributing them.

The court heard that Gilbert's online activities were particularly disturbing. Analysis of his computer revealed a collection of 523 images and 313 videos classified under the most severe Category A abuse category. The investigation also uncovered evidence of file sharing and extensive chat logs, totaling approximately 180 pages, in which Gilbert expressed sexual desires involving children. During these chats, he claimed to have engaged in sexual acts with minors in Sri Lanka and Cambodia, including babies, stating that “sex with a child was good for him” and that he would use children as sexual objects.

Neil Treharne, prosecuting, explained that the police investigation was initiated after reports of online activity involving a supposed 15-year-old boy. This led authorities to Gilbert’s residence in Hertfordshire. The analysis of his digital devices confirmed the presence of the illicit material, which included not only images but also videos, some of which were classified as Category A abuse. Further evidence revealed that Gilbert had shared these files online, and he had made disturbing comments about abusing his own hypothetical younger brother, claiming he would have done so daily if given the chance.

Following his arrest, Gilbert was interviewed by police but chose to remain silent during the questioning. Subsequently, he moved back to Weston-super-Mare, where police found him in possession of an additional 140 images and 12 videos, all rated as Category A abuse. His online conversations and digital evidence painted a picture of a man with deeply disturbing sexual fantasies involving children, including claims of having sex with minors in different countries and explicit statements about abusing children.

Judge Peter Blair QC, the Recorder of Bristol, sentenced Gilbert to two years in prison. In addition to his incarceration, Gilbert was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that restricts his internet use to prevent further offending. The judge emphasized the severity of his crimes, stating, “The making and possessing of indecent images of children is a blight to the lives of the children, who become commercial objects. It is all the more serious when people leave it to be distributed for others who share that perverted interest.”

It was also noted that Gilbert had failed to inform his employer about his sentencing, which means he will be absent from work for two years. The case highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes.