ROBIN GREEN: CANTERBURY AND GILLINGHAM TEACHER AND SINGER INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Canterbury and Gillingham, Robin Green, a former teacher and renowned singer, was found guilty of viewing child pornography over a span of four years. The court proceedings revealed a troubling pattern of behavior that has raised serious concerns about his motives and the extent of his obsession.

Robin Green, who previously taught Latin and French at St Edmunds School in Canterbury, was arrested at his residence on Rock Avenue in Gillingham after authorities traced his online activities. It was discovered that Green had paid to access illegal child pornography websites, with his credit card details being handed over to British police by U.S. authorities. Despite his initial denial, Green eventually confessed to the charges after his computer was examined.

The court heard that Green, a tenor with a distinguished background, had performed in front of the Queen and an audience of 12,000 at Buckingham Palace during the Jubilee celebrations in May 2002. He also led the Medway Boys Choir in Rochester and had performed aboard the luxury liner QE2. Green claimed that his interest in viewing such material stemmed from his involvement in youth projects and a purported concern for children's welfare. He insisted that his actions were not driven by sexual gratification but by a desire to understand the mindset of those who accessed such material.

Prosecutor Oliver Saxby highlighted that Green had paid money to access these sites, and even on the day of his arrest, he was found to be actively engaging with the material late at night. Green, aged 44 and a married father, faced ten charges of making indecent photographs of children. During the trial, he maintained that he did not possess any images on his computer but had accessed 'strings' of information, which had since been deleted. The court was told that the total amount of material viewed was uncertain, but it was believed to be around ten instances.

Green's defense lawyer, David Smith, argued that his client had since resigned from various organizations working with children and that his initial curiosity was academic rather than malicious. He suggested that Green was attempting to differentiate between genuine affection expressed by adults and the illegal material he was researching. However, Judge Andrew Patience expressed skepticism about Green's stated motives, questioning the necessity of his prolonged and secretive online activity.

While no actual images were found on Green's computer, the court noted the disturbing nature of his behavior and the potential risks involved. The judge sentenced Green to a two-year community rehabilitation order, emphasizing the importance of understanding his underlying motivations and thoughts. Green will also be required to register as a sex offender for five years, with regular reports every six months to monitor his progress and compliance.

Judge Patience expressed concern over the lack of a recommended sex offender program from the probation service and highlighted the troubling obsession Green exhibited. He stated, "There is something totally unhealthy and troubling about a man who over about four years pays money on his credit card to access this sort of material." The court's decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated, especially when committed by individuals with a respected public profile and a history of involvement in youth activities.