ROGER CARR BUSTED IN BOREHAMWOOD: SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR INDECENT PICTURES NEAR WATFORD AND GARS TON

In a recent case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Roger Carr, a 56-year-old man from Farm Close in Borehamwood, has been sentenced to six months in prison after being found guilty of possessing indecent photographs of a young girl. The disturbing images, which depicted a vulnerable teenage girl in provocative poses, were discovered during a police raid on Carr's former residence in Bushey earlier this year, in January.

Authorities acted on concerns raised about Carr's inappropriate behavior at Watford Leisure Centre and near a school in Garston, which prompted the investigation and subsequent search. The police operation uncovered the illicit photographs, which included images of the girl dressed in hot pants, underwear, and a dressing gown, raising serious questions about Carr's conduct and intentions.

At the hearing held at St Albans Crown Court last Thursday, prosecutor Beverley Cripps revealed that magistrates had previously issued a sexual offence prevention order against Carr on January 16. This order explicitly prohibited him from approaching or engaging with girls, reflecting the seriousness of his prior offenses and the community's efforts to prevent further harm.

However, just three weeks after the order was issued, on February 8, Carr was seen in a public space near his home in Borehamwood, where he joined two young girls aged 12 and 13 in building a snowman in a nearby car park. This act was considered a breach of the court's order and further underscored his disregard for legal restrictions.

Following his conviction on 13 charges of possessing indecent photographs of a child, Carr appeared in court to face sentencing. He admitted to breaching the sexual offence prevention order, which compounded the severity of his case. His defense, led by Geoffrey Birch QC, argued that the photographs were relatively innocuous and represented the lowest level of indecency. Birch also described Carr as an eccentric individual who had led a solitary life, largely due to trust issues stemming from his wife leaving him for an older man three decades ago.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Michael Baker QC emphasized the gravity of the photographs, stating, “These were photographs taken of a vulnerable young teenager.” The judge sentenced Carr to six months in prison and imposed a 30-month license period upon his release. Should Carr violate the terms of his license, he risks additional imprisonment. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for the next seven years. As part of the court's measures, Carr's camera, used to take the illicit images, will be confiscated and the photographs destroyed.

It is also noteworthy that Carr has a prior criminal history; he was previously jailed for 15 months in December 1998 by Reading Crown Court after indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl at a swimming pool. Following that conviction, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, highlighting a pattern of concerning behavior that has persisted over the years.