Ex-Cameron aide faces trial over child abuse images

A former senior aide to the British prime minister, David Cameron, is facing trial at Southwark crown court, London, 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 yesterday charged with four offences connected to indecent images of children.

Mr 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, Mr 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 Mr Rock’s government position “aggravates the circumstances of this case” and that it should be transferred to crown court.

The charges related to alleged offending in the United States, where Mr Rock had been living and working until recently. Judge Zani bailed Mr Rock to return to Southwark crown court on July 17th.

Under his bail conditions, Mr Rock must surrender his passport to police, reside at his home address in Fulham, west London, and maintain contact with a welfare officer.

Crown Prosecution Service lawyers assessed the images as level C, the lowest category.

Mr Rock was arrested at his home in February. He resigned from his post as deputy head of Mr Cameron’s policy unit following his arrest, which was not made public until the details were published by the Daily Mail three weeks later. – (Guardian service)