Forden co-founder of children’s charity had 700 child sex images

A Forden father-of-two who co-founded a charity that has raised over £200,000 for children’s causes has escaped jail after being caught in possession of more than 700 images of child sex abuse.

We contacted Salisbury Crown Court this morning following a reader tip-off that John Leonard Rampton was due to be sentenced after being found guilty by jury in December of all three charges of creating images of child sex abuse.

The charges included the most severe categories and were found across several devices dating back at least 10 years.

The photographer is said to have co-founded Teddy Bear Run, a southern England-based charity that hosts two main events each year, a Winter Run and a Summer Run at Goodwood Racing Circuit. They distribute money raised across a number of children’s charities.

We have contacted the Teddy Bear Run for comment.

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 which were password protected. 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 this morning'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.