ROSS MORTLOCK AND GLOUCESTER: EX-TEACHER AVOIDS JAIL DESPITE CHILD ABUSE VIDEOS

In July 2017, Ross Mortlock, a 35-year-old former special needs school teacher from Lowesmoor, Cherington near Tetbury, was sentenced after being found in possession of over five hours of severely depraved videos depicting child abuse. The case against him was initially deferred in March to allow Mortlock to complete a 10-week sex offender treatment program run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Jamie Tabor QC was informed that Mortlock had completed the program and now acknowledged having a sexual interest in children, which he had previously denied. The judge sentenced Mortlock to an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to participate in 20 rehabilitation sessions with a probation officer, and was subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, Mortlock must register as a sex offender for ten years.

Prosecutor Nick O’Brien highlighted the gravity of the case, stating, “An aggravating feature of this case is that this defendant was a school master teaching vulnerable children, but they did not come into harm in any way.” He suggested this could be seen as a breach of trust. However, the judge clarified that he did not consider the school teaching role as an aggravating factor or a breach of trust, as no pupils were involved in the offending.

The court learned that Mortlock faced three charges of possessing indecent images, which included 23 Category A videos—the most severe classification—totaling five hours and 20 minutes of content depicting children being sexually abused in the most horrific ways. When asked if he had viewed any additional images, Mortlock denied doing so.

The judge emphasized the serious nature of the offense, stating, “You downloaded 23 Category A videos. Children were being defiled in the most appalling ways. Those were real children, that’s the thing.” He added, “Children are being tortured, and that’s what it is, by adults, and that is because people like you provide a market.” The court noted that the digital detachment from the victims could make offenders like Mortlock seem less aware of the reality of their actions.

He warned Mortlock that treatment must continue under probation, and that breaching the suspended sentence would result in serving the full sentence.

Earlier, in March 2017, Mortlock’s life was described as having “lost everything” after he admitted to viewing child abuse videos. He was arrested on the day his newborn was admitted to hospital, and found with more than five hours of Category A videos along with other less serious images.

Although he pleaded guilty to making indecent images, Mortlock claimed he did not have a sexual interest in children. Judge Tabor deferred sentencing for four months, giving him the opportunity to complete the Lucy Faithfull Foundation program and to admit his sexual motive for downloading the content. The judge indicated that if Mortlock cooperated, he might avoid imprisonment.

During the hearing, Mortlock was told, “You have lost everything. You have lost your wife, your home, your job, and your children. It is going to be very difficult for you to see them from now on in the normal way.” The judge urged him to explore his motivations further during treatment.

Prosecutor Nick O’Brien provided details: the downloads occurred between 2009 and 2016, discovered when police raided his home. The seized files included 25 Category A videos, three Category B, and one Category C, with the most severe videos lasting over five hours.

Judge Tabor remarked on the emotional response any ordinary person would have upon viewing such material, saying, “Any ordinary man seeing Category A videos would have emotions – he would be so angry he would throw something at the screen!”

He added, “He was a schoolmaster in a school for vulnerable children but lost his job as soon as he was charged. He is now unemployed. He is a father, but his marriage is over, and his children are with his wife.”

Defending Mortlock, Claire Buckley stated, “He has lost everything as a result of this. His job, his home, his family. He has a supportive mother and siblings but his marriage is completely over.” She explained that Mortlock was arrested on the day his child was born and had already committed to receiving help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and mental health services.

The court set the next hearing for July 10, where Mortlock faced sentencing. The judge imposed a '10-year sexual harm prevention order' and also ordered him to register as a sex offender, emphasizing the ongoing risks associated with his offenses.