Scientist found with 68,000 child pictures spared jail

An eminent scientist has been spared a prison sentence after being found with more than 68,000 indecent images of children.

Retired neuropharmacologist Dr Charles Ragan, 77, of Oakley Road, Battledown, Cheltenham pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court earlier to possession of the images.

He admitted having 1,063 of the most serious images that Judge Ian Lawrie KC said would have merited a prison term of at least two years.

But the judge said he would not impose a prison sentence on Ragan because of his immediate efforts to get psychological help and seek the support of his wife and children.

Mr Lawrie said Ragan had an "impressive background" and that he was "a man of skill, intellect and ability", adding: "I find it hard to understand how men in your position, with all their opportunities, can indulge in this sort of behaviour."

He said: "You were participating in a process, which brings untold harm to a lot of children across the globe and that harm will be with them until they die."

Mr Lawrie also detailed how he had received letters of support from Ragan's wife and children, and had seen how he had shown remorse for his actions that he had admitted "candidly" to police.

Instead of a custodial sentence Ragan was sentenced to a two-year community order, including 30 days focused on rehabilitation activities.

He was also placed on a five-year sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register. He must also pay £500 in costs and a further £114 surcharge.

Defendant 'practised self-deceit'

Charles Row KC, defending, told the judge that Ragan had a "genuine and heartfelt shame and sense of humiliation".

He added that Ragan had, up to this point, "led the most blameless and productive of lives", with one of his children describing him as "a model father".

Mr Row said Ragan had tendencies which allowed him to assuage his guilt by compartmentalising the pictures, telling himself "this is on my computer, it's not real".

He added that Ragan, whose home was raided by police in October 2023, had immediately embarked on courses and therapy, which emphasised that the images he possessed were of real children, experiencing real suffering.

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