Crowborough man sentenced for a series of child sex offences

A Crowborough man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious child sexual offences.

The offences include producing and possessing child abuse material, inciting a child under thirteen to engage in sexual activity, and arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

Ray Lombard, 46, of Croft Road in Crowborough, was identified by police after accessing child abuse images online. Investigators found he had livestreamed child abuse, arranged acts of child sexual abuse at his request, paid perpetrators, and discussed paedophilia and online child exploitation.

During the investigation, Lombard was found in possession of extreme pornographic images and more than 5,000 child abuse images classified as categories A and B stored on multiple devices seized from Lombard. He established online connections with other distributors of child abuse material and targeted vulnerable women, while investigators also found screen recordings documenting live streamed sexual abuse of children.

He admitted to paying a vulnerable woman in Ukraine to produce child sexual abuse material involving her daughter under the age of five.

Lombard was arrested on 19 March 2024 and charged at Eastbourne Custody Centre on 12 March 2025 with three counts of making indecent images of children, eight counts of arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, causing to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, including penetration, and possessing extreme pornographic images.

He appeared at Lewes crown court on the 31 October 2025, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

On Thursday (15 January 2026), at Lewes Crown Court, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The administration of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order will be considered at a future date, and the court ordered the destruction of all his devices.

Detective Sergeant David Rose, from the Online Child Abuse Team, said:

“Lombard’s behaviour was abhorrent and demonstrates the very real dangers posed online by individuals who deliberately seek to groom and sexually exploit children.

“These crimes represent a profound abuse of trust and a complete disregard for the safety, dignity and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of society.

“His devices contained moving images recording the sexual abuse of young children. These children, wherever they are in the world, live with the trauma of the abuse they have suffered.

“Offending of this nature causes lasting damage not only to the direct victims, but also to families and communities, and it will not be tolerated.

“The Online Child Abuse Team continues to work tirelessly with our partners to identify and apprehend offenders, disrupt this type of criminal activity, and educate parents and carers on the steps they can take to help keep children safe online.”

If you have concerns about online safety are encouraged to visit our guidance about online safety.