Former carer jailed for child porn (From This Is Local London)

Former carer jailed for child porn

10:45am Thursday 20th May 2004

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A former care worker who was caught with a cache of child porn has been jailed for nearly two years.

Steven Robinson, who looked after disabled children for Merton Council, had images of babies being abused and took two pictures of young girls himself.

The 29-year-old was arrested at his home in Aberconway Road, Morden, in February after officers found pictures on his laptop.

They discovered more on floppy discs and Polaroid shots of the two, fully-clothed girls.

In total, there were 502 images, including video clips.

Officers from New Scotland Yard also found a children's book, duvet, packing tape and latex gloves in his car.

Robinson's defence counsel, Trilby Millet, told Kingston Crown Court that Robinson had no previous convictions and had written a letter to the arresting police officer, thanking him for bringing the matter to a head.

She said: "There is no suggestion of any commercial gain or distribution.

"He only really began using such sites a couple of years ago and it clearly became something of an addiction. He voluntarily sought help from a counselling service in Wimbledon shortly before he was arrested."

Judge Martin Binning, on sentencing, said: "This encourages the abuse of very, very young children.

"The images here contain the sexual abuse of mere babies and other very young girls."

Robinson admitted 18 charges relating to child pornography and was jailed for a total of 22 months.

If he reoffends, he will automatically go back to jail for three years.

He has also been banned from working with children for life and will remain on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Robinson had worked at Brightwell Respite Care Centre, Morden, which provides respite care for children and young people with disabilities, and the Children with Disability Outreach service.

A mother whose child attended Brightwell, said: "I think that only getting 22 months is disgusting."

A spokesman for Merton Council said: "None of the material relates to children who received care services from Merton at any time. We have informed all the relevant families.

"Mr Robinson no longer works as an agency care worker and the DfES will be informed he is unsuitable to work with children."

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