ROBERT BANNON FROM DEAL AND ST MARTIN'S HILL CAUGHT WITH CHILD AND ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has shocked the local community, Robert Bannon, a 73-year-old resident of Deal who has since moved to St Martin's Hill in Canterbury, faced serious allegations related to the possession and creation of highly disturbing indecent images. The incident came to light during a court hearing held in May 2017, where Bannon pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving the exploitation of children and animals through explicit imagery.

According to court records, Bannon was found to have committed three separate counts of producing indecent images of children. These images depicted various acts of abuse, some of which included scenes of rape and torture, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material he possessed. The court also established that Bannon had in his possession extreme pornographic images that involved humans engaging in sexual acts with animals, a practice known as bestiality. These images were classified as extreme and highly disturbing, further emphasizing the gravity of his offenses.

The court proceedings revealed that the images Bannon possessed spanned a broad spectrum of indecency, with some depicting the most heinous forms of abuse. The evidence presented indicated that Bannon’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of disturbing behavior involving illegal and morally reprehensible material.

In sentencing, the judge opted for a community order that will last for 24 months, rather than imprisonment. This decision was made after considering the circumstances of the case and Bannon’s guilty plea. Additionally, the court imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, which aims to restrict Bannon’s access to any material or situations that could lead to further harm. As part of the court’s ruling, Bannon was also required to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from potential future offenses.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the distribution and possession of illegal and harmful sexual content, especially involving minors and animals. The community remains vigilant and hopeful that such measures will help prevent similar crimes in the future.