Caernarfon Man Jailed for Massive Child Abuse Image Collection

A 68-year-old man from Bontnewydd, Caernarfon has been jailed after amassing what the judge described as “possibly the worst case of this sort I have seen.” 📱💻

Paul Roberts was sentenced to three-and-a-half years imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today after police discovered 58,000 child abuse images in his possession, with almost 400,000 additional images and videos yet to be categorised.

Judge Timothy Petts said: “Some of the images and videos are of the gravest possible severity.”

The court heard Roberts had a paedophile manual video containing sexual abuse instructions and harboured “deep-seated hideous sexual desires,” according to the judge.

Judge Petts told the defendant: “You have over a period, it seems of many years, amassed a huge collection of photographs and videos of child sexual abuse,” adding that Roberts showed a “lack of regret” and had “absolutely no interest in changing your ways.”

Police arrested Roberts in July 2023 and examined his phone and computer, with prosecutor Laura Knightly noting that while hundreds of thousands of files weren’t categorised, a preview indicated many contained child abuse material.

Defence counsel Duncan Bould stated Roberts had no previous convictions and that his older partner was in ill-health.

A sexual harm prevention order was issued alongside the prison sentence.

Judge Petts acknowledged the “hideous” work undertaken by the police investigating team in the case.