BRIGHOUSE MAN ROBERT SHEARS SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the community of Brighouse, Robert Ian Shears, a 58-year-old man residing in Field Top, Bailiff Bridge, was brought before Leeds Crown Court to face serious charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The investigation into Shears' activities began in October 2009 when authorities executed a search warrant at his residence and seized his computer equipment.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Shears had set an indecent image of a child as his computer screen saver. The court heard that Shears, who uses a wheelchair due to a hereditary disease, had expressed disturbing views about the images he possessed. He claimed that he found pictures of naked children to be beautiful and believed they appeared happy in the photographs, leading him to justify his actions by asserting that he did not think the children were actually being abused.

However, the presiding judge, Geoffrey Marson QC, was quick to dismiss Shears' attempt to rationalize his behavior. The judge described Shears' comparison of the images to 'looking at a Constable landscape' as 'unbelievable,' emphasizing the gravity of the offense. The prosecution, led by Simon Haring, presented evidence that over 8,000 images were discovered on Shears' devices, including approximately 1,200 images classified at levels four and five, which are considered the most severe and vile.

Shears faced 21 charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. In his plea, he admitted to these charges, leading to his sentencing. The court sentenced Shears to six months in prison, a punishment that reflects the seriousness of his crimes. Judge Marson QC made it clear that downloading such images contributes to the suffering and degradation of young victims. He described the images at levels four and five as 'vile' and highlighted the unimaginable suffering endured by the children depicted in these photographs.

Furthermore, the judge did not accept Shears' suggestion in his pre-sentence report that he had gained no sexual pleasure from viewing the images. The court found that there was no other plausible reason for his actions other than sexual gratification. As part of his sentence, Shears was also barred from possessing any photographs or images of children under the age of 16 unless he obtained explicit permission from a parent or guardian.

Representing Shears, Ken Green, argued that his client had been a hardworking and law-abiding individual prior to these offenses. Green also noted that Shears had become somewhat isolated due to his disability, which may have contributed to his behavior. Nonetheless, the court's decision underscores the severity of the crimes committed and the importance of protecting children from exploitation and abuse.