ROBIN BARKER FROM PETERBOROUGH ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE HUNDREDS OF CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In a case that has raised serious concerns about the safety of children in Peterborough, Robin Barker, a 59-year-old man from Eldern, Orton Malbourne, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of nearly 300 indecent images of children on his personal computer. The incident came to light during a police investigation last year, which uncovered disturbing evidence of his involvement in viewing and possessing child abuse material.

According to court records, police executed a search warrant at Barker’s residence after it was revealed that he had access to a computer, despite his claims to the contrary. During the search, officers discovered a laptop containing a total of 298 indecent images of children. These images were classified according to the Copine Scale, a system used to rate the severity of such material, with five levels—five being the most serious. The computer held 57 images at level one, 106 at level two, 21 at level three, and 114 at level four. Notably, there were no images classified as level five, which indicates the most severe category.

In addition to the indecent images, the computer also contained approximately 21,000 legal pornographic images, which were deemed lawful and not subject to criminal proceedings. The prosecution, led by Cheryl Williams, emphasized that Barker’s past convictions for sexual offences in 1970 and 2005 placed him under strict monitoring by the public protection unit of Cambridgeshire police. Despite this, Barker had previously claimed he did not own a computer and therefore did not need to submit his device for analysis.

When questioned about his computer access, Barker admitted to having a laptop but maintained that he did not possess any illegal material. However, the police’s findings proved otherwise, leading to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings. Barker pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children at an earlier hearing, demonstrating remorse or acceptance of guilt.

During the sentencing hearing at Peterborough Crown Court, Judge Peter Murphy addressed the gravity of Barker’s actions. He stated, “You should realise each of these images represents a sexual offence against a young person, and the effect this kind of behaviour has is difficult to calculate, but in all likelihood lasts for a very long time, and potentially for the remainder of their lives.”

In light of the evidence and Barker’s criminal history, the judge decided on a community-based punishment rather than imprisonment. Barker was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes supervision and mandatory participation in a sex offender treatment programme. Additionally, a sex offences prevention order was imposed, prohibiting him from having any contact with children unless explicitly permitted by a parent or guardian who is aware of his offending history. The order also requires Barker to make his internet activity transparent, including providing access to his computer’s internet history for police inspection.

Furthermore, Barker was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a period of five years. Judge Murphy emphasized that the range of penalties available was ultimately aimed at protecting young boys from potential harm, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his offences and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predators like Barker.