ROBERT PETRIE FROM CARRICKFERGUS CAUGHT WITH OVER 1,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES BUT ESCAPES JAIL

In a case that has shocked the community of Carrickfergus, 66-year-old Robert Petrie was found to possess a disturbing collection of indecent images of children, totaling over 1,000 photographs and videos. The police conducted a thorough search of Petrie’s residence in March 2021, during which they seized multiple electronic devices, including a computer and USB sticks. Forensic analysis of these devices uncovered a staggering 1,071 indecent images of children, which Petrie had downloaded and stored over a period spanning from September 2018 to March 2021.

During the court proceedings, Petrie, who is wheelchair-bound, admitted to downloading and saving these images from online forums. He expressed his own disgust at his actions, acknowledging the severity of his behavior. He faced nine charges related to the creation and possession of indecent images of children, with the images being primarily still photographs. Among these, 90 images were classified as the most serious category, indicating a high level of harm and exploitation.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Petrie was spared a custodial sentence. Judge Patricia Smyth sentenced him to eight months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for three years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that period. Additionally, Petrie was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and will be subject to a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which imposes restrictions on his activities and movements.

The judge acknowledged Petrie’s health issues, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, as well as his personal circumstances, such as the breakdown of his marriage. She also noted that he had not reoffended since the police search. However, she was clear in her warning that the images he viewed and possessed are real, emphasizing the devastating impact on the victims. The judge stated, “The images you have watched on a frequent basis are real. They are not fake. The young children being abused and being incited to abuse themselves are actual children whose lives and futures are being destroyed before your eyes.”

In her conclusion, Judge Smyth made it clear that any future offending, regardless of Petrie’s health conditions, would result in imprisonment. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, even when they are spared immediate jail time.