Pontypool Man Jailed for Sharing Child Abuse Images Online

A 35-year-old Pontypool man has been sentenced to five years in prison after distributing films of child abuse to members of an online group.

Matthew Roberts, from Griffithstown, was found to possess hundreds of illegal images, including 372 of the most serious category. Police discovered the content after catching him attempting to arrange a meeting with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover officer.

“You’ve demonstrated yourself to be a committed paedophile over the period of your offending,” stated Judge Shomon Khan at Cardiff Crown Court. “You were part of an active network that facilitated the sharing of these depraved images.”

The court heard Roberts had previously received a suspended sentence for child sex offences. His defence barrister, Thomas Stanway, explained that Roberts had become isolated after his wife requested a divorce following his return to the UK from America.

“He does now accept that he must tackle at his demons,” Mr Stanway told the court.

Roberts pleaded guilty to multiple charges including distributing indecent images of children and attempting sexual communication with a child. He will register as a sex offender for life.