A FORMER chair of Harlow Council has pleaded guilty to a number of charges including downloading images of child abuse.

Christopher Robins, aged 64, of Little Brays, Harlow pled at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.

On or before March 13th, 2022 at Harlow made indecent photographs, namely 41 Category C images of a child.

On or before March 13th, 2022 at Harlow made indecent photographs, namely 1 Category B image of a child.

Between March 2nd and March 10th at Harlow being a person aged 18 or over, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, intentionally attempted to communicate with a person under 16 who you did not reasonably believe to be 16 or over, the communication being sexual, namely talking about sexual acts.

Robins was committed to prison for six-and-a-half-months but this was suspended for 18 months.

There was a number of detailed restrictions on his use of computers.

He has been made subject to a rehabilitation activity requirement. Must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and sign the sex offenders register. He was fined £400.00

Robins was a Lib Dem councillor for a number of wards (Brays Grove, Mark Hall South and Staple Tye) between 2000 and 2006.

He was chair of Harlow Council for twelve days in 2003.

He was most recently a candidate in 2019.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats told YH that his membership had been terminated.