Children’s charity to end after Forden co-founder’s child sex images shocker

The children’s charity that was co-founded by a Forden man sentenced yesterday for being found guilty of possessing over 700 images of child sex images, has said it will end immediately.

John Leonard Rampton was found guilty by jury in December of all three charges of creating images of child sex abuse, and the charity that he helped to set-up, The Teddy Bear Run, has responded immediately by labelling their co-founder as “abhorrent”.

In a statement, the charity, which has raised over £200,000 for various children’s charities through twice yearly motoring events at Goodwood Racing Circuit, said an immediate internal investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson said: “The Teddy Bear Run was established in 2012 to support families with disabled and life-limited children and making a positive difference in their lives. We have taken the tough decision to bring The Teddy Bear Run to an immediate end today, as the team are all deeply shocked and sickened by the conviction of a co-founder.

“The behaviour of this individual is abhorrent and does not align with our values as an organisation with safeguarding at its heart. We will return with our cars and our passion to help others when we have completed our internal investigation, but do not want to set a timeframe for when this will happen as we are all incredibly sadden by the seriousness of this situation.”

It is believed, according to media reports, that Rampton was reported to police by his estranged wife, with a warrant executed at his property in May 2022 when the images were found on various devices. His defence was to blame others and his lawyer said he hadn’t offended in the three years since and was “motivated to change”.

What Salisbury Crown Court told us from yesterday’s sentencing:

John Rampton was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years.

He has to undertake Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) for up to 40 days, and carry out 100 days of unpaid work. He was given a 10-year Sex Harm Prevention Order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He is barred, by the Disclosure and Barring service, from regulated activity relating to children.

He was also told to pay £4,380 costs and surcharge, but given two years to pay at £250 per month.