Roy Hobson

Roy Hobson, a 66-year-old former Lincolnshire Police officer and theatre director from Louth, Lincolnshire, has been sentenced for possessing and making over 600 indecent images of children. Hobson, residing on Wellington Street in Louth, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three charges related to the production and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The court proceedings revealed that among the images, 12 were classified as Category A, the most severe category of indecent images depicting the most serious forms of abuse. Judge Simon Hirst, presiding over the case, addressed Hobson directly, stating: 'This type of offending is not victimless. You, through your career, would know that better than many.' This remark underscored Hobson's background as a police officer, highlighting the irony and gravity of his actions given his professional experience in law enforcement.

In addition to his role in policing, Hobson served as the director and a volunteer at the Louth Riverhead Theatre. Following the revelations, a spokesperson for the theatre confirmed that Hobson had been suspended from his position 'pending further investigation'. The case was handled under the jurisdiction of Lincolnshire Police, the prosecuting force responsible for the investigation into Hobson's activities.

Hobson was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and required to sign the sex offenders' register for a period of ten years. This sentencing reflects the court's recognition of the seriousness of the offences while considering factors such as Hobson's age and lack of prior convictions. The case, reported by the BBC, serves as a stark reminder of the hidden nature of such crimes, even among those in positions of trust.