Retired Wiltshire Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse Image Offenses

A retired Wiltshire police officer, Robert Gabbott (64), also known as Bob, has admitted to collecting and distributing hundreds of indecent images of children.

Gabbott, who resides at Elizabeth Close, Melksham, pleaded guilty to the charges at Swindon Magistrates' Court in late November.

The court deemed the case too serious to be handled by magistrates, and it was subsequently sent to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing. Gabbott will be sentenced in January 2023.

Gabbott, a member of the Wiltshire Freemasons who also volunteered as a marshal at the Melksham vaccination center, accepted two charges of distributing indecent images of children in categories A and B.

He further admitted to three charges of making (collecting) indecent images of children. This included 200 images in category A, 199 in category B, and 457 in category C. Category A images depict penetrative sexual activity, category B includes non-penetrative sexual activity, and category C encompasses images not falling into categories A or B.

The offenses occurred between September 18, 2021, and January 14, 2022. Gabbott was released on unconditional bail until sentencing.

Following the hearing, Gabbott was ordered to register as a sex offender within 72 hours.