ROBERT GLYN MATTHEWS FROM GLANAMAN ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DOWNLOADS

In a case that has shocked the community of Glanaman, Robert Glyn Matthews, a 36-year-old local businessman, was found guilty of possessing and downloading child pornography across four different computers. Despite the gravity of the charges, Matthews narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence, with the court opting for a suspended sentence instead.

Mathews, who resides on Cwmaman Road in Glanaman, faced a jury at Swansea Crown Court where he was convicted of 23 separate offences related to the creation and distribution of indecent images of children. The court heard that Matthews had continued his illicit activities even after police raided his home and confiscated his initial computer. Rather than cease his actions, Matthews reportedly purchased a new computer and resumed his downloads, demonstrating a disturbing persistence in his illegal activities.

During the trial, Matthews maintained his innocence, claiming that he had subscribed to adult pornography websites and had no interest in images involving children. However, evidence presented by a computer expert from Dyfed Powys police revealed that the obscene images, totaling 367 thumbnails, were spread across all four of his computers. These images had been downloaded over a period of several years, indicating a sustained pattern of illegal activity.

Judge Gerald Price, presiding over the case, sentenced Matthews to six months in prison but suspended the sentence for two years. In addition to the suspended jail term, Matthews was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for the next five years, attend a sex offenders’ course, and contribute £1,750 towards his legal costs. The judge emphasized that, under the law, he had to assess whether Matthews posed a danger to children. After careful consideration, he concluded that Matthews did not fall into that dangerous category.

Judge Price acknowledged Matthews’ personal circumstances, noting that his wife remained supportive and that he was a father to two young children. He also highlighted the impact that a custodial sentence could have on Matthews’ employees and the local community. The judge remarked, “Your wife is supportive and you have two young children to nurture. And you have employees who would suffer if I was to send you to jail.”

During the proceedings, Matthews explained that he had subscribed to websites offering adult content but insisted he had no interest in images involving children. Nonetheless, the evidence from law enforcement officials demonstrated that the illegal images had been downloaded over several years, with the first computer confiscated in 2004. Due to administrative failures, Matthews was not prosecuted at that time. It was only in 2006, after police paid him a subsequent visit, that his new computers were seized and found to contain child pornography.

This case has raised serious concerns within the Glanaman community about the presence of such illegal activities and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.