Tuesday 24 January 2012
Deported Redhill sex offender sentenced to four years
A REDHILL man who was deported from the Dominican Republic to face a string of charges related to the making and possession of indecent images of children was today (24 January) sentenced to four years imprisonment.
Surrey Police worked with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Dominican Republic authorities in securing Ralph Baker’s return to the UK.
Baker, 67, fled to the Caribbean country in September 2004 while on bail after being arrested on suspicion of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). The breach related to Baker being involved with a junior football team. Further offences came to light after indecent images of children were recovered from computer equipment seized from Baker’s home address.
When Baker failed to answer bail in October 2004, Surrey Police quickly established that he had left the country and enquiries were made with CEOP as to his whereabouts. He was traced to an address in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic in July 2008 and the relevant authorities were made aware that Baker was wanted in connection with a number of offences in the UK.
Further information was received last year from CEOP that Baker was living with two children at his address in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican National Police arrested Baker for immigration offences on 4 October 2011 and deported him to the UK. SOCA's liaison with authorities in the Dominican Republic was instrumental in facilitating the return of Baker, who is the first person to be deported to the UK from the Caribbean nation for this type of offence.
On his arrival at Gatwick Airport on 10 October, 2011, he was then arrested by Surrey Police in relation to the outstanding UK offences.
Baker was charged with 10 counts of making an indecent image of a child, four counts of possessing an indecent image of a child, two breaches of a SOPO, failing to notify police of intention of foreign travel (as required to do so as a registered sex offender) and obtaining property by deception (a passport).
Baker appeared at Guildford Crown Court on 14 December, 2011, where he pleaded guilty to all but two charges. The Crown Prosecution Service agreed to drop the two charges – one breach of his SOPO and the charge relating to obtaining property by deception.
He appeared at Guildford Crown Court today (24 January) where in addition to the custodial sentence, he was told he would have an extended eight year licence upon release from prison, would remain on the Sex Offender’s Register for life and be made subject to a further Sexual Offences Prevention Order which prevents him from travelling abroad and restricts his use of the internet and any contact with children under the age of 16.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Suckling, of Surrey Police’s Risk Management Unit, said: “This result demonstrates the lengths Surrey Police, in conjunction with national and international law enforcement agencies, will go to in ensuring individuals involved in the exploitation of children are brought to justice. Our perseverance in getting Baker sent back to the UK has not only ensured he has had to face up to his crimes but has also helped prevent any further offences being committed against the two children he was living with in the Dominican Republic.
“Baker has shown complete disregard for the law not only by continuing to make indecent images following a previous prosecution but by fleeing the country when he knew the net was closing in on him. It is a fact that is sometimes forgotten but every image downloaded and shared online represents a child that has been abused and Surrey Police is committed to identifying those responsible for such offences and bringing them before the courts.”
Jim Warnock, Head of Intelligence at the CEOP Centre, added: “Today’s sentence shows that the world is an increasingly smaller place for those who present a risk to children, wherever they may be. Working with and supporting national and international law enforcement agencies, not forgetting the child protection organisations who provide vital care to children and young people, CEOP will continue to ensure that any UK national who seeks to harm children and young people will be held to account for their actions.”
