RODDY LEWIS FROM MONMOUTH SHAMES COMMUNITY WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

In June 2003, a disturbing case emerged involving Roddy Lewis, a music teacher with ties to Monmouth, who was found guilty of attempting to access child pornography on the Internet. The incident has led to severe professional repercussions and a broader discussion about safeguarding children in educational environments.

Roddy Lewis, aged 42 and formerly residing at The Observatory in Trellech near Monmouth, was officially barred from working with children following his conviction. His name was subsequently added to the Department of Education and Skills List 99, a confidential registry that includes individuals deemed unfit or unsuitable to work with minors. This list contains sensitive information such as dates of birth, National Insurance numbers, and teacher reference numbers, and is accessible to local authorities and relevant organizations conducting background checks on prospective employees.

Lewis’s employment history includes work with the Gwent Music Support Service, an organization responsible for organizing music lessons and concerts across several local authority areas, including Newport, Monmouth, Blaenau Gwent, and Torfaen. His role involved engaging with schoolchildren in these regions, making the allegations and subsequent findings particularly troubling for the community.

Following the allegations, Newport City Council, which oversees the Gwent Music Support Service, confirmed that Lewis had left his position after an internal disciplinary hearing conducted in accordance with council policies. However, the council declined to specify whether Lewis was dismissed or resigned voluntarily.

The criminal case against Lewis was brought to light when he pleaded guilty at Newport Crown Court in February. The charges stemmed from an incident in July 2001, when Lewis attempted to download a brief, ten-second video clip depicting a sexual act involving two girls dressed in school uniforms and a man. Prosecutor David Webster revealed that a seven-page fictional text titled 'Big Daddy’s Little Girl' was also discovered on Lewis’s computer, raising further concerns about his intentions and state of mind.

Investigations uncovered that Lewis’s computer search history included not only general pornographic material but also content specifically related to indecent images of children. On at least one occasion, he actively searched for paedophile-related content, indicating a disturbing pattern of behavior. These findings prompted the authorities to classify him as a significant risk to children.

During the court proceedings, Lewis’s defense attorney, Anthony Vines, emphasized that Lewis was highly regarded within his community and suggested that he would face substantial personal and professional upheaval. Despite this, Judge Philip Richards condemned Lewis’s actions, describing him as 'depraved' and criticizing the exploitation and degradation of children involved in such material. The judge admonished Lewis directly, stating, 'You, as a schoolteacher, should be ashamed of yourself.'

As part of his sentence, Lewis received a two-year conditional discharge, was ordered to pay costs amounting to £800, and was required to forfeit his computer equipment. It was also noted that Lewis had been suspended from his teaching duties with full pay once the allegations surfaced, pending the outcome of the case.

Gwent Police’s computer crime investigator, Gary Probert, who led the investigation, expressed strong condemnation of Lewis’s conduct. He stated, 'This man, as a teacher, had a moral obligation to protect children and it is clear he held children in contempt.' The case has served as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict safeguarding measures within educational and community settings, especially in areas like Monmouth where community trust has been shaken by this disturbing incident.