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Ex-Cameron aide Patrick Rock faces trial over child abuse images Ex-Cameron aide Patrick Rock faces trial over child abuse images
(about 1 hour later)
A former senior aide to David Cameron is facing trial at Southwark crown court accused of making and possessing scores of child abuse images on an Apple iPad.A former senior aide to David Cameron is facing trial at Southwark crown court accused of making and possessing scores of child abuse images on an Apple iPad.
Patrick Rock, 63, who was one of the government's chief advisers on policy for online pornography filters, appeared at Westminster magistrates court in London on Thursday charged with four offences connected to indecent images of children.Patrick Rock, 63, who was one of the government's chief advisers on policy for online pornography filters, appeared at Westminster magistrates court in London on Thursday charged with four offences connected to indecent images of children.
Rock has been charged with three offences of making child abuse images and one count of possessing 62 indecent images of children.Rock has been charged with three offences of making child abuse images and one count of possessing 62 indecent images of children.
Standing alone in the glass-fronted dock, Rock spoke only to give his name, date of birth and address during the short hearing before district judge John Zani.Standing alone in the glass-fronted dock, Rock spoke only to give his name, date of birth and address during the short hearing before district judge John Zani.
Prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe told the judge that Rock's government position "aggravates the circumstances of this case" and that it should be transferred to crown court.Prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe told the judge that Rock's government position "aggravates the circumstances of this case" and that it should be transferred to crown court.
Igvyovwe said the charges related to alleged offending in the United States, where Rock had been living and working until recently.Igvyovwe said the charges related to alleged offending in the United States, where Rock had been living and working until recently.
Zani bailed Rock to return to Southwark crown court on 17 July.Zani bailed Rock to return to Southwark crown court on 17 July.
Under his bail conditions, Rock must surrender his passport to police, reside at his home address in Fulham, west London, and maintain contact with a welfare officer.Under his bail conditions, Rock must surrender his passport to police, reside at his home address in Fulham, west London, and maintain contact with a welfare officer.
It is understood Rock is in regular contact with a welfare officer provided by his previous employer at Downing Street.
Crown Prosecution Service lawyers assessed the images as level C, the lowest category.Crown Prosecution Service lawyers assessed the images as level C, the lowest category.
Rock was arrested at his home in February.Rock was arrested at his home in February.
He resigned from his post as deputy head of Cameron's policy unit following his arrest, which was not made public until the details were published by the Daily Mail three weeks later.He resigned from his post as deputy head of Cameron's policy unit following his arrest, which was not made public until the details were published by the Daily Mail three weeks later.
The National Crime Agency said last week that Rock had been charged with possessing 59 indecent images of children, but that figure rose on Thursday when Iguyovwe said the former Whitehall official was now accused of keeping 62 category C images on an Apple iPad.The National Crime Agency said last week that Rock had been charged with possessing 59 indecent images of children, but that figure rose on Thursday when Iguyovwe said the former Whitehall official was now accused of keeping 62 category C images on an Apple iPad.
The offence of making indecent images of children carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978.The offence of making indecent images of children carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978.
Possessing child abuse images has a statutory maximum of five years' imprisonment under section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.Possessing child abuse images has a statutory maximum of five years' imprisonment under section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
In a statement last week Judith Reed, a senior lawyer with the CPS organised crime division, said: "The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.In a statement last week Judith Reed, a senior lawyer with the CPS organised crime division, said: "The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.
"May I remind all concerned that Mr Rock has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.""May I remind all concerned that Mr Rock has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."