Former vet at Willowbrook Veterinary Services in Hythe, Robert Russell, avoids jail for possessing thousands of indecent images of children and animals

A FORMER Hythe vet has avoided jail after being caught with more than 2,000 indecent images involving children and animals.

Robert Russell (63), of Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst, was a director of Willowbrook Veterinary Services in Pylewell Road, Hythe.

Police carried out an early morning search at his home in September 2020, during which a number of digital devices were seized, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Ned Sillett said three of these 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.

Russell pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children, possessing a prohibited image of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Defending, Ioana Medulcu told the court her client was of previous good character and submitted a letter to the judge expressing his remorse.

She also submitted character references on his behalf, and said: “There is a different persona to him when searching the internet as opposed to when he was at work.”

Ms Medulcu told the court a large proportion of the images dated back to 2013 and 2016, and there was no evidence they had been recently accessed.

She explained there had been a “significant delay” from first being interviewed in 2020 until now and that Russell had committed no offences during this time.

“This has been lurking over his head for a very long time,” she said. “Due to a delay in the charges the defendant has been seen by his GP, as the loss of his practice has played a significant part in him feeling anxious and depressed as he is unable to work.”

Judge Feest KC handed down a 24-month community order including 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also complete 30 days of a probation-run rehabilitation activity requirement and pay court charges of £515.

He told Russell: “You are in your 60s and this is your first time in court.

“You are no longer a man of good character, but that is your own fault due to the behaviour you carried out over a long period of time.

“Your references speak very highly of you and, although this is a case where the custody threshold has been crossed, it is submitted on your behalf that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

Russell was also made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order which restricts his internet use.

Dan Rowling from the Internet Child Abuse Team in Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: “This was a long, protracted case – but we have taken robust action in order to put Robert William Russell in front of the courts and to secure a conviction.

He clearly poses a risk to children with the significant amount of indecent images that he had created and possessed during a six-year period. He will have strict conditions imposed upon him as part of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next five years.

“Whilst this has not resulted in a custodial sentence, I hope this investigation highlights our commitment to relentless pursuing criminals and keeping children in our communities safe across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“Criminals need to know that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is a hostile environment for them, and that every effort will be made to see justice served. We will do everything we can to ensure offenders are put before the courts.”