January 2021 Pervert grandad sent pictures of schoolgirls to other paedophiles in vile ‘PervsRUs’ chat group A grandad has been jailed after he was found sharing indecent images of ‘schoolgirls’ on a chat room with other paedophiles. 67-year-old Robert Blackband was found with over 400 indecent photos, including 139 category A images – said to be the worst kind. Police found a black iPhone and computer belonging to Blackband which contained the vile images at his home in Rochdale. Following further analysis, officers found web searches relating to indecent images and a chat app called ‘Kitkat’. Blackband was a member of a group called ‘Schoolgirls’ and was sharing images and having sexualised conversations about children with other members, Minshull Street Crown Court heard. He later admitted to officers that he was part of another group called ‘PervsRUs’. Initially pleading not guilty, Blackband later admitted making and distributing indecent images of children. On Thursday, he was jailed for two years and six months. Prosecutor Mark Brookes told the court that officers attended Blackband’s address on Worcester Road on March 29, 2019, following suspicion that somebody from the address was sharing the images. “When asked if he [Blackband] was responsible, he said: “Oh, I have for a few days now,” Mr Brookes said. “The officer could see the indecent images on the defendant’s phone and asked if any of the pictures were made by him and he said no. “A black iPhone and a computer were seized and analysed and indecent images of children were found as well as videos, there was sexual communication and distribution of indecent images. “There was also a web history which showed words to do with indecent images had been searched for.” The court was told that 139 category A images were found, two of which were distributed, 63 category B images were recovered, where one was distributed, and 233 category C images were found – eight of which were distributed. Officers also found the app ‘Kitkat’, said to be a chat room that allows multiple conversations between users. There were 196 separate conversations on the phone, it was said. “The defendant used the pseudonym ‘TomBlack’ and was a member of a group called ‘Schoolgirls’ which included the distribution of images of schoolgirls,” Mr Brookes said. “He was also the member of another group which had 33 participants and images were sent and received between members. “He confirmed to officers that the phone was his and he said he used the phone to message others and he confirmed he searched for the term ‘schoolgirl’. “He also admitted he was involved with a site called ‘PervsRUs’, which was another chat room where people share images. “He said his intention was to masturbate to them.” Sentencing him, Judge Tina Landale said: “It’s clear from the evidence in the case that you actively searched for indecent images of children on the internet. “These images were real time showing adult men sexually abusing a child. “You were talking about what you would do to a child or thinking about doing and men were asking you to send pictures to them.” Blackband, of Worcester Road, was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register until further order.