A 70-year-old man from Shropshire has been sent to prison after being convicted for a second time of sharing indecent photographs of children.
Repeat Offender Defies Suspended Sentence
Robert Gates, from Ludlow, had previously avoided immediate custody when he received a two-year suspended prison term in November 2024 for similar crimes. However, his freedom was short-lived.
In August of this year, the Metropolitan Police alerted West Mercia Police after another man, arrested for sharing indecent images of children online, was found to have been in contact with Gates.
Police Uncover Sickening Evidence
Officers from West Mercia Police swiftly arrested Gates and seized a number of electronic devices from his home address. A forensic examination uncovered a cache of illegal material.
Police discovered two category B images and two category C images of children on his devices. Furthermore, they found that Gates had engaged in online conversations discussing the sexual abuse of children.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of distributing indecent photos of children, to which he pleaded guilty.
Justice Served with Consecutive Sentences
At sentencing, the judge showed no leniency. Gates was handed a one-year prison sentence for the new offences.
For breaching the terms of his suspended sentence from 2024, he received an additional one-year custodial term. The judge ordered that these sentences run consecutively, meaning Gates will serve a total of two years behind bars.
PC Ellie Williams, from West Mercia Police's Protecting Vulnerable People team in Shropshire, stated: “Gates is a deeply disturbing individual with a clear interest in the sexual abuse of children. Having previously avoided prison, he has now rightly received a two‑year custodial sentence for his actions. Gates' sickening offending demonstrates a shocking disregard for the harm and trauma his behaviour inflicts on young victims.”
