May 2019

Cheltenham man caught with child sexual abuse images and bestiality images

A 19-year-old Cheltenham man caught with child sexual abuse images and bestiality images has been remanded in custody after a court heard that he has allegedly threatened to “chop up” a woman police officer who investigated him.

Sonny Rogers, of Rose and Crown Passage, has pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child abuse images and one count of possession of extreme pornography – animals having sex with humans.

He had been on unconditional bail awaiting sentence but has since threatened the officer in the case with violence, including telling his support worker that he wants to “kill her and chop her up,” it was alleged at Gloucester Crown Court.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny said it is also alleged that Rogers has threatened a neighbour with murder and sent other malicious material.

Mr Fenny said in light of Rogers’ recent alleged behaviour: “This man is potentially dangerous.”

“The contents of the material he has admitted possessing are extremely disturbing,” he said.

“He was in possession of gross sexual images involving very young children in the most serious of acts and also involving material of bestiality.”

Mr Fenny told the court it would be “irresponsible” for Rogers to continue to be allowed bail in view of the new allegations that have come to light.

“He poses a risk of further offending and a risk to himself and the officer concerned” Mr Fenny told the court.

Judge Jason Taylor QC remanded Rogers into immediate custody saying: “After seeing the material where he has developed a fascination with power and control, the threats made to an officer in the case I believe it is necessary for his own protection to remand him into custody today.”

A pre-sentence report and psychiatric report have been ordered to assist the court in assessing the level of risk Rogers poses to the public before he is sentenced on June 21.