September 2010 Judge’s anger over delays in investigation of sex offender A JUDGE said it was an “utter disgrace” that a sex offender waited more than two years to learn his fate in court for downloading child pornography. Judge Dudley Bennett demanded an explanation as he sentenced Robert Connell at Nottingham Crown Court. Connell, 50, was interviewed as long ago as July 28, 2008, when police received information about alleged online child exploitation. He had downloaded child porn of some girls as young as four or five. Police took away his computer from his home in Church Drive, West Bridgford. He co-operated with officers, providing them with a password. But the court heard how technical investigations were delayed because the hi-tech crime unit had a high number of cases to deal with. “I think it is an utter disgrace,” said Judge Bennett, referring to the delay. “I want an explanation from whoever is responsible as to why it has taken so long.” The prosecution vowed to pass on the judge’s views. In July this year, Connell, now of Lancashire, pleaded guilty to eight charges of making indecent photos of a child. The court heard how he lived alone, had few visitors and had not been in a relationship for many years. Connell told officers he would watch women and girls on the computer. Images were found to have been deleted from his equipment. “You downloaded disgusting images, some containing girls of four or five years of age,” said the judge. “It’s not simply viewing the pictures, it’s the corruption to the children that is so serious.” Connell received a community order for three years, with supervision from the Probation Service. He is now subject to a 12-year sexual offences prevention order, will be on the sex offenders’ register for five years and complete an internet sex offender treatment programme. Adrian Langdale, in mitigation, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, admitted what he had done in police interviews and had been of “good character”.