A DANGEROUS predator who used his role as Maldon Carnival chairman to gain access to children has been put behind bars for 12 years.
Paedophile Robert Slight, 45, committed offences against more than a dozen victims while spearheading the community event.
Slight also volunteered at family events, such as Santa visits and school and cheerleading events, which gave him access to children.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard Slight had abused a number of children who had been entrusted into his care.
Slight admitted three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Jerry Hayes, prosecuting, told the court Slight, 45, had also taken indecent images of children.
The court heard some of these were opportunistic with pictures taken in public places.
He admitted two counts of making indecent images of children.
The court was told Slight bizarrely collected hair and baby teeth which he stored in plastic bags.
Mr Hayes said: “The defendant had also placed himself in a position to gain unsupervised access to children.
“This included the role of a chaperone for the Maldon Carnival and Maldon Carnival chairperson.
“The defendant was part of the Maldon Carnival for over 10 years.”
Essex Police enquiries revealed Slight had created an email address for a fake safeguarding officer at Maldon District Council.
But it turned out to be a domain Slight had purchased.
Mr Hayes said: “Therefore, any persons that may have had concerns regarding the safeguarding of children involved with Maldon Carnival would go directly to the defendant.
“The defendant was also in charge for the vetting of Maldon Carnival.
“The defendant manipulated both the victims and their families in order to gain access to children to satisfy his sexual interests."
The court heard Slight had been jailed for advertising and possession of indecent images of children in 2001.
When Slight’s latest offending came to light police officers found 27 devices at his home in Wantz Road.
Officers searched through more than a million pictures and Slight was found to have 31 category B images and 1,389 category C.
Matthew Bagnall, mitigating, read from a letter the defendant had written to the judge.
He read: “I want to sincerely apologise to all involved in my case. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through as families.”
A pre-sentence report said Slight had issues in the past and suffered from Asperger’s syndrome.
Judge Jamie Sawyer said the defendant’s behaviour had left him “gobsmacked”.
He said: “In the pre-sentence report you said you would never hurt a child.
“You lack any understanding or empathy for the impact your offending has had.
“Do you not think that that was harming them?”
Judge Sawyer thanked the children who read out their statements in court, praising their courage.
When he passed a total sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment, the families and victims who watched the proceedings from the public gallery burst into cries of celebration.
Slight will serve at least two thirds of the sentence before having the chance to appear before the parole board.
He will then be on licence for another six years.
An indefinite restraining order was put in place for the children involved, and Slight has been banned from working with children, and will have to comply with notification requirements.
Parents who attended the sentencing told the Standard: “No sentence will be long enough.
“He abused his position and his power. We feel so used. He pushed boundaries.
“We need a change in legislation.”
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