DERRY MAN ROBERT FERRIS CAUGHT WITH INDECENT CHILD IMAGES IN BELFAST COURT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Derry, Robert Geoffrey Ferris, a 52-year-old resident of Ivymead in the Waterside area, was brought before Belfast’s Derry Crown Court to face serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children.

Ferris’s troubles began when he left his laptop at a local PC World store on Crescent Link in Derry for repairs. An employee, tasked with fixing the device, noticed a file with a disturbing filename, which prompted concern. The staff member promptly alerted the store manager about the suspicious content found on Ferris’s computer.

Following this alert, the manager contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). A subsequent search of Ferris’s residence uncovered various computer-related items, which were seized as evidence. Despite initially denying any wrongdoing, Ferris eventually admitted to the charges after being confronted with the evidence. The offences spanned a period from September 23, 2008, to July 2, 2010.

During the court proceedings, a crown prosecutor explained that although Ferris claimed the indecent images had been deleted, law enforcement officers were able to recover them from the device. The prosecutor also noted that the number of images involved was relatively small, but emphasized the gravity of the offences. The images included both static pictures and moving images, totaling 14 in number.

Ferris faced seven counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing such images. The court heard that these images depicted innocent children, robbed of their childhood innocence, and that such material supports and encourages the global production and distribution of child exploitation content.

In his defense, Ferris’s legal representative highlighted the significant impact these revelations had on his client’s personal and professional life. The defense argued that Ferris’s work, social, and family life had been profoundly affected since the offences came to light.

Judge Allistair Devlin, presiding over the case, sentenced Ferris to three years’ probation. While acknowledging the seriousness of the offences, the judge also noted that the number of images was relatively small. He emphasized the reprehensible nature of the material, stating that the children depicted were innocent victims robbed of their childhood.

Judge Devlin further ordered Ferris to participate in the Community Sex Offenders Programme as part of his probation conditions. Additionally, Ferris was instructed to sign the sex offenders register, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to monitor and prevent such offences in the future.

Earlier in January 2014, Ferris had pleaded guilty to the charges after initially denying them. His case was adjourned for a probation pre-sentence report, and he was released on continuing bail. He is scheduled to appear again in court on February 11 to face sentencing.