ROBERT SOANES BRUTAL CHILD ABUSE IMAGES FOUND IN BRIGHTON HOME
In February 2019, authorities uncovered a disturbing case involving Robert Soanes, a 49-year-old antiques restorer based in Brighton, who was found to possess a vast collection of illegal and highly disturbing images and videos depicting child abuse.The investigation was triggered when police executed a search warrant at his residence in Portslade, Brighton, uncovering a shocking array of illicit material stored on his personal laptop.
During the raid on his home on Southdown Road in Portslade, law enforcement officials discovered that Soanes had downloaded and streamed thousands of depraved images and videos.
The contents included a staggering 2,372 images classified as Category A, which depicted children in clear signs of pain and distress being subjected to sexual assault by adults.
These images were particularly heinous, showing children in situations that left little doubt about their suffering.
In addition to the Category A images, authorities found 1,312 images categorized as Category B and 1,059 images classified as Category C.
Among the material was an “extreme” pornographic image involving a person performing a sex act with a dog, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material Soanes was consuming.
Prosecutor Jonathan Atkinson explained that Soanes used his laptop to feed his addiction, often searching for specific terms related to child abuse.
He described Soanes as being isolated in his workshop, which he used as a refuge for his disturbing habits.
The police investigation revealed that Soanes’s consumption of such material was driven by a desire for stress relief, which underscores the severity of his psychological state.
At Hove Crown Court, Soanes faced charges related to the possession of these illegal images.
He admitted to possessing the class A, B, and C images, as well as a prohibited image of a child and an extreme pornographic image involving an animal.
In light of his guilty plea, the court sentenced him to a 15-month prison term, suspended for a period, and ordered him to complete 170 hours of unpaid community service.
Judge Christine Henson QC acknowledged that Soanes had shown some remorse, noting that he had voluntarily attended charity sessions and was honest with police during the investigation.
She also pointed out that he had no previous convictions.
However, the judge emphasized the gravity of his offenses, highlighting the vulnerability of the victims and the pain inflicted upon them.
She stated, “He has already begun to take steps in the right direction, but he has offended in the most appalling way.” Furthermore, Soanes was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Notification Order, which will remain in effect for the next ten years.
The court’s decision balanced the need for punishment with the potential for rehabilitation, considering the resources available within the custodial system and the courses designed to address such offending behavior.
