ROBERT PRICE FROM MIDDLESBROUGH CAUGHT WITH CHILD SEX IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through Middlesbrough, Robert Price, a 26-year-old resident of Siddington Walk in Pallister Park, was found guilty of possessing and downloading indecent images of young girls.The incident, which came to light in early 2017, revealed a troubling pattern of behavior that spanned nearly a decade.
According to court proceedings, Price admitted to police that he was deeply ashamed of his actions, describing himself as “disgusted with himself” for his long-standing secret life.
Over a period of nine years, he accessed child abuse images on the internet whenever he felt the urge, a compulsion that he struggled to control.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh explained that Price would typically obtain sexual gratification from viewing these images, then delete the files in an attempt to hide his activities.
Despite his efforts to uninstall the software, the behavior persisted, and he would often repeat the cycle, especially during times of depression.
The police investigation was triggered when officers visited Price’s home on Siddington Walk on January 23, following information that linked him to illegal online activity.
During the search, Price immediately took responsibility for the web activity, which was confirmed when his phone and computer were seized from the residence he shared with his mother and brother.
He confessed that his interest in indecent images of girls began around the age of 16 and continued unabated for nearly a decade.
Authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of 47 child abuse images, varying in severity, most of which depicted girls aged between eight and eleven years old.
Some images showed children as young as five or six.
Ms.
Haigh noted that the collection included multiple images of the same victims, indicating repeated viewing, but emphasized that the activity had not escalated beyond the possession of these images.
During the court hearing, Price admitted to three charges of making indecent images of children, marking his first conviction for such offenses.
His defense lawyer, James Fenny, highlighted the repercussions Price faced following the publicity of his case, including bricks being thrown through his windows and the loss of his employment.
Fenny expressed that Price was eager to move past this chapter and had the support of his family.
Judge Deborah Sherwin, presiding over the case, decided that a suspended sentence would serve the community better than immediate imprisonment.
She acknowledged that this was Price’s first appearance before a court but pointed out the long history of his behavior prior to being caught.
The judge noted Price’s honesty and acceptance of responsibility, which influenced her decision to impose an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, coupled with supervision and a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, Price will be registered as a sex offender for ten years.
The judge concluded by expressing hope that the shock of the proceedings would deter Price from reoffending and that he would seek help for his issues.
Earlier in April 2017, Price had already admitted to making indecent images of children in Middlesbrough, pleading guilty to three charges at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.
The images involved all three categories of severity, with ten still photographs and four moving images.
He confirmed his identity and his guilty plea during the hearing, which was then referred to Teesside Crown Court for sentencing.
A pre-sentence report was ordered, and District Judge Kate Meek emphasized that the case was too serious to be resolved at the magistrates’ level, indicating the gravity of Price’s offenses and the need for a more comprehensive judicial review.
