Paedophile bus driver, who made indecent images of children, spared jail

Ronald Neill was sentenced today

A former bus driver from Chadwell Heath has avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children.

Ronald Neill, 57, was sentenced today at Snaresbrook Crown Court to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, with strict restrictions around his contact with children, and access and use of the internet.

Police first became suspicious of Neill after they were contacted by a worried parent in August, whose son was given a personalised gift by a bus driver.

He was arrested on suspicion of grooming and investigators discovered that Neill had asked boys for their names and offered them gifts, such as personalised football memorabilia if they let him take pictures of them. These were not indecent images, police say.

When his home was searched, officers discovered indecent images of children in his bedroom. Neill admitted to making and downloading them and was charged with one count of making indecent images of children

Investigators subsequently found further images of children on his home computer and mobile phone. These were graded as category A and B images, with A depicting the most serious child abuse. He was then charged with three further counts of making indecent images of children.

Appearing at North East London Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 August, Neill pleaded guilty to all four offences.

Detective Constable Dec Wilson, from the Modern Slavery Child Exploitation team, said: “Neill admitted to having a sexual interest in children, while working in a job that brought him into regular contact with young people.

“His buying of gifts for the boys he met on the bus was a clear sign of grooming, and I would like to thank the families who gave us information about Neill’s behaviour to support this prosecution, and the sexual harm order he now has to abide by or face further prosecution.

“We would urge any parent or carer who is aware that their child has had recent contact with Neill, or received gifts from him, to come forward and speak to officers.”

You can contact the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation team, part of Central Specialist Crime, on 101 quoting Operation Foundation.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or do it online via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

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