ROBERT MCGREGOR FROM BACUP CAUGHT WITH 371 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND EXTREME PORN

In a case that has shocked the community of Bacup, Robert McGregor, aged 47, was found to possess an extensive collection of child abuse images and extreme pornography, leading to a court hearing at Burnley Crown Court. The investigation revealed that McGregor, who had no prior criminal record and was considered a respectable man in most aspects of his life, harbored a disturbing secret that was uncovered during a police raid on his Bacup residence in November 2011.

During the raid, law enforcement officers seized various computer equipment and discovered a staggering number of indecent images stored on his devices. The images were categorized into different levels of severity, with nine images classified at the most serious level five, 58 at level four, 26 at level three, 18 at level two, and 221 at level one. Additionally, 39 extreme pornographic images were found, including two video clips. Most of these images depicted children under the age of five, which added to the gravity of the offense. The collection was described as 'very distressing' by the authorities.

At the time of his arrest, McGregor was residing on Bankside Lane in Bacup. He subsequently admitted to ten counts of making indecent photographs of children and two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images. The court heard that McGregor had downloaded these images from the internet, a fact he confirmed during a police interview in August following the initial raid. Despite the severity of his actions, McGregor was noted to have no previous convictions and was described as a man who had not previously been in trouble.

Representing McGregor, solicitor Robert Elias emphasized that his client did not engage in the exchange or trading of images and maintained that he had a long, happy marriage, with his wife standing by his side throughout the proceedings. Elias also stated that McGregor had been actively seeking help for his issues.

The prosecution, led by David Macro, highlighted the disturbing nature of the images and the impact on the victims depicted within them. The court was told that police had acted on intelligence regarding a website linked to the defendant, which led them to his home on Co-operation Street. McGregor was interviewed and admitted to downloading the illicit images from the internet. He was subsequently sentenced by Judge Jonathan Gibson, who acknowledged the seriousness of the crime, stating, “This is not a victimless crime, because those who have been photographed have suffered the most serious form of abuse.”

McGregor was sentenced to six months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undergo supervision and participate in the internet sex offenders’ program. Additionally, he was required to sign the sex offenders’ register and was issued a five-year sexual offences prevention order. Under this order, McGregor is prohibited from using any device capable of accessing the internet unless it can retain and display browsing history, which he must provide to police upon request. He is also banned from possessing any device used for storing digital images unless it is made available for police inspection. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £450.