RUSSELL GOWER FROM KINGSTON CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND MOVIES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Kingston community, Russell Gower, a 33-year-old man residing on Sopwith Way, has been linked to the possession and viewing of a significant number of indecent images and videos involving children. The case came to light after police investigations revealed that Gower had downloaded and viewed nearly 300 indecent photographs of minors, along with over 80 explicit movies featuring children.

Gower’s actions were uncovered when authorities found evidence that he had accessed these illicit materials, which ranged from level one to level five in severity. The investigation indicated that the images and videos were downloaded on or before August 10, 2012, raising serious concerns about his ongoing engagement with such material.

He appeared before Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on January 3, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including four counts of downloading indecent images of children and five counts of downloading indecent movies involving minors. The court was informed that Gower had initially searched for images of children aged between 12 and 14 years old. However, due to limited online availability, he was compelled to seek out even younger children, including those as young as one to two years old.

Prosecutor Denise Murrin explained that Gower’s obsession stemmed from a fetish centered around children’s feet, which had escalated to viewing and possessing highly disturbing images. The court heard that some of the photographs depicted young children being subjected to sexual assault, highlighting the severity of the material Gower had accessed.

In response to his actions, Gower has already taken steps toward treatment, having paid approximately £2,100 for psychotherapy sessions and seeking help at the Priory clinic. Despite his efforts, the court considered the gravity of his offenses and the potential risk posed to the community.

Gower was sentenced to a 10-month prison term, suspended for two years, and was issued a sexual offences prevention order to monitor and restrict his future activities. The case remains ongoing, with a sentencing hearing scheduled at Kingston Crown Court to determine further penalties and measures to prevent any recurrence of such offenses.