THE former chairman of Maldon Carnival has been jailed for 12 years after admitting sexual offences towards children.

Robert Slight, 45, of Wantz Road, Maldon, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday. 2 March.

While involved with Maldon Carnival, he sexually assaulted four children and possessed more than 1,300 indecent images of children.

Slight, 45, admitted three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Slight also admitted two counts of making indecent images of children. 

Slight was involved with the Carnival as a chaperone and chairman and held a position of trust in the town he used to gain access to vulnerable children. 

During their investigation, Essex Police found Slight had created an email address for a fake safeguarding officer at Maldon District Council. The fabricated account was linked to an email domain which Slight had purchased.

"He abused his position of trust to sexually assault children and take indecent images — and now he's rightly facing justice." 

The investigating officer spoke after a 45-year-old Maldon man was sentenced for his years of abuse.

Detectives from the Economic Crime Team initially launched a financial investigation in July 2023 after receiving information. A warrant was executed at the defendant's home address in Wantz Road and a concerning number of devices and items connected to children were found at the address. 

Detective Constable Karen Venables explained: "We were faced with large quantities of data, across numerous phones, laptops, and USB sticks.

"These were all seized and Slight was arrested." 

Following interview he was released on conditional bail. 

The full extent of his crimes was uncovered during a complex two-year investigation, led by our Economic Crime Team with support from our Child Abuse Investigation Team that required painstaking work by detectives and digital forensic experts. 

Thousands of images were recovered and analysed, forming a crucial part of the evidence against him. 

In July 2025 he faced a number of charges and when he first appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court he admitted two counts of taking indecent images of a child, but denied two counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of sexual assault on a child under 13, one count of meeting a child following sexual grooming and two counts of fraud. 

He was then remanded into custody. 

As officers worked on preparing the case, which involved carrying out sensitive interviews with his young victims, Slight continued to deny a number of offences he faced, but as detectives built the case against him, he changed his pleas to guilty just ahead of his February trial. 

He admitted three counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching, one count of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of taking indecent images of a child (Cat B and Cat C) and one count of making an indecent photograph of a child. 

One charge of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, a charge of meeting a child following sexual grooming and two counts of fraud will lie on file.

Det Con Venables said: "This was a disturbing case involving a man who exploited his position to harm children. The investigation demanded time, care and determination from our team, who worked tirelessly to uncover the full extent of his offending. 

"In these cases, we often must sift through vast amounts of distressing material to build a picture of someone's behaviour. It's difficult, meticulous work — but it's essential to securing justice for victims and protecting other children from harm." 

At the same court he was also given restraining orders against his victims, placed on sex offenders register and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

During sentencing Judge Sawyer told Slight that he engaged in "classic grooming behaviour" and ingratiated himself with family.

"The real impact of what you have done may not be recognised by the victims for many years", and "what you did to each of them will stay with them forever".

Det Con Venables added: "We are firmly committed to protecting children and bringing offenders to justice.

"If you report abuse to us, we will listen, and we will investigate. Your voice matters."

Councillor Richard Siddall, the leader of Maldon District Council, praised the police for their "extensive" investigation.

He said; "Although Maldon District Council had no involvement with the management of Maldon Carnival Committee, I am relieved that Essex Police's extensive investigation has led to sentencing, ensuring Mr Robert Slight is held accountable for the serious crimes he has committed.

"My thoughts go out to his victims and their families, who will feel the effects of this for many years to come."

Slight will serve at least eight years in prison, before having the chance to appear before the parole board. He will then be on licence for another six years.