ROBERT SOMPER'S SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN WOKING AND GUILDFORD

In May 2017, Robert Somper, a man with deep ties to the Liberal Democrat party and a resident of Woking, faced serious legal consequences after admitting to possessing indecent images of children. His case drew significant attention due to his previous convictions and his involvement in political circles, including sharing the stage with Nick Clegg at a 2009 party conference.

Somper's arrest and subsequent court proceedings revealed disturbing details. Police seized his computer equipment and memory sticks from his home in Woking, uncovering photographs and a short film depicting young boys engaged in sexual acts. These images, according to the prosecution, showed children performing indecent acts, highlighting the severity of the material found.

At the time of his arrest, Somper, aged 80 and residing on Park Road, Woking, denied any involvement with children and claimed his interests were solely in adult males. Despite this, his criminal history included a previous conviction for possession of child pornography, which resulted in a three-month jail sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2010. That earlier case also involved images and videos of children, and he had shared the stage with Nick Clegg during the 2009 Liberal Democrat conference.

In the 2017 hearing at Guildford Crown Court, the court was informed that Somper had committed these offenses between June 16, 2014, and April 3, 2015. He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children. A fourth charge, alleging breach of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) imposed by Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2010, was initially considered but later dropped by the prosecution. The court noted that the SOPO had prohibited him from downloading indecent images online, but it was unclear whether he accessed such material via the internet or through external memory devices.

Judge Peter Moss, presiding over the case, acknowledged that while Somper had not technically breached the order, he had circumvented it. The court also learned that the images and videos found were limited in number—only two images and a short film—and that Somper had previously been convicted for similar offenses. Despite his age, the court observed that he was engaging with court-mandated rehabilitation efforts and complying with various court orders.

However, Judge Moss issued a stern warning, stating, “If you commit any further offences, you will find yourself serving a lengthy prison sentence.” As part of his sentence, Somper was given a six-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time immediately but could be sent to prison if he reoffended. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid community service, with the judge remarking, “You’re a remarkably fit man for 80 years of age.”

Financial penalties included a requirement to pay £600 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge. Furthermore, the court imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, replacing the previous SOPO, which restricts his contact with anyone under 18. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of his offenses and the need for ongoing supervision and restrictions to prevent future harm.