Former vet Robert Russell, who ran Willowbrook Veterinary Service in Hythe, back at Southampton Crown Court over breaching court order following indecent images conviction

A FORMER Forest vet who was caught with more than 2,000 indecent images of children and animals has appeared in court again.

Robert Russell (64), of Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst, was handed a 24-month community order last June after admitting making indecent photographs of children, possessing a prohibited image of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Roberts, a former vet and director of Willowbrook Veterinary Services in Pylewell Road, Hythe, appeared before Southampton Crown Court on Thursday after admitting breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

As reported in the A&T, police carried out an early morning search at his home in September 2020, during which a number of digital devices were seized.

Three of the devices were found to have 2,280 prohibited images of children, ranging in seriousness from the highest category A to lesser category C. The ages of the children were between four and 16.

In addition, there were 109 extreme pornographic images involving bestiality.

The court heard a large proportion of the images dated back to 2013 and 2016.

In addition to the community order, Roberts was made the subject of a five-year SHPO, which restricts his internet use, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Prosecutor Edward Culver told the court Roberts had breached the order by using an internet browser which did not retain his browsing history.

He added: “Police were concerned about his willingness to comply with the order and the level of co-operation, so arranged to visit his home.

“There was no evidence of further indecent material on his computer.”

He added it was “a minor breach” given that evidence showed the browser had not been intentionally selected for this purpose and was using as it “precludes advertising”.

Defending, Timothy Bass told the court he supported the suggestion by probation to impose another community order and added he was “grateful” for their care.

He added Roberts should be given credit for his early guilty plea.

The removal of unpaid work from the original order was also supported, he said, due to Roberts’ ill health.

Judge Nicholas Rowland revoked the original order and resentenced Roberts to a 24-month community order, with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The SHPO will remain in place until 2028.