A former school bus driver for the Education Authority has been jailed over multiple child sexual image charges and outraging public decency.
Robert John James Arnold (47) from Mountjoy Road Omagh, admitted 17 charges in total comprising nine counts of possessing indecent images of children and three counts of possessing prohibited images of children.
These matters occurred between July 2019 and April 2022.
There were also four counts of committing acts of a lewd, obscene and disgusting nature and outraging public decency by taking photographs beneath the clothing of girls on dates between October 2016 and June 2019.
Arnold appeared for sentencing at Dungannon Crown Court where prosecuting council Michael McAleer pointed out Arnold had offended while in his role as a school bus driver which was a significant breach of trust.
In April 2022 further to existing enquiries Arnold’s phone and laptop were seized
A number of media cards taken from these devices were found to contain recorded child abuse material containing of which 33 where Category A (the most serious) 21 in Category and 310 images and 33 videos in Category C.
There were also 160 prohibited images and over 1000 voyeuristic /upskirting images
Arnold was arrest in June 2023 and largely made admissions to all,
Judge Brian Sherrard noted the images, “Appears to focus on pre-pubescent girls and there are shocking scenes of deviant sexual harm, including a female child being orally raped by a man and anally raped by another”
In terms of voyeurism, the images were taken while Arnold was driving school bus driver for the Education Authority.
A total of 85 incidents of voyeurism were recovered in which Arnold had placed his phone in such a position to record images of females of their genitals and buttocks.
Judge Sherrard said, “The description of outraging public decision is entirely appropriate. No-one could be anything but horrified.”
Offending of this nature occurred over a period of six years and involved 29 victims, the majority of whom police were able to identify.
Among schools and clubs affected were Omagh Academy, Omagh Hockey Club, Loreto Convent School, Sacred Heart School, Dean MacGuire School, St Kieran’s College, Oliver Plunkett Primary School, St Teresa’s Primary School, Cooley Primary School. Loughmacrory Primary School and Gortin Primary School,
Judge Sherrard told Arnold, “The constantly repeated breaches of trust represent the most egregious offending. These girls were placed in your trust and you exploited them. They were vulnerable due to age. I particularly note five primary schools were targeted. You let down their parents and the schools and clubs who also place their trust in you.”
He noted, “Harm may not have been apparent at the time but it certainly is now. You deny any sexual interest in children which is clearly a lie given your offending.”
Turning to sentencing, Judge Sherrard said, “It is quite impossible to consider anything other than a custodial penalty given the gravity of offending.”
Arnold was jailed for two years and four months to be served equally in custody and on licence.
He will remain on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the same duration.
A Destruction Order was granted for all seized material.
