Ex-Cop Gabbott Gets Suspended Sentence for Child Abuse Images
Retired Officer Caught in Child Image Scandal
Robert Gabbott, 64, from Melksham, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of distributing and possessing indecent images of children. The retired Wiltshire Police officer was handed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.
Tough Conditions with No Jail Time—Yet
Alongside the suspended sentence, Gabbott must spend 175 hours doing unpaid work and complete a rehabilitation course. He’s also slapped with a 10-year stint on the sex offenders register. Crucially, these offences happened after he left Wiltshire Police, not during his service.
Police Crack Down on Child Abuse
Detective Sergeant Jason Walsh of the Child Internet Exploitation Team (CIET) said: “I want our communities to be reassured that our department work tirelessly and our focus is rooting out all forms of child abuse and offending whether this is in a position of trust or not.”
“We will follow the evidence found and bring offenders to justice on every occasion – with impartiality and integrity – to ensure we are doing everything in our power to safeguard children.”
“I would ask anyone with any concerns relating to the wellbeing and safeguarding of children to contact us immediately. You can call us on 101, 999, anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via our website.”
