A weekly newspaper editor facing a possible jail term for making indecent images of children has resigned, his former employers have confirned.

As previously reported by HTFP, 42-year-old journalist Rob George admitted three charges of making indecent images of children when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court last month.

George, of Rowan Close, Bromsgrove, was previously the editor of Bullivant Media titles the Worcester Observer, Evesham Observer and Malvern Observer.

But as he appeared in court again on Friday, the company confirmed that he had resigned with immediate effect following the earlier court appearance.

Rob George outside Worcester Magistrates Ccourt in February. Picture: SWNS

A statement headed ‘Rob George – Statement on behalf of the Worcester, Malvern and Evesham Observers’ read: “The first the company knew about the case came after the proceedings last month at Worcester Magistrates Court. The company was shocked, saddened and disturbed by the situation.

“George resigned from his positions with the papers with immediate effect. Had he not, he would have faced disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct, in line with the company’s code of conduct.”

According to a report in the Observer, George could now face fresh charges, namely of distributing indecent images of children.

George had appeared at Worcester Crown Court for sentencing on Friday in relation to the original charges – but Judge Martin Jackson agreed to adjourn the case to give prosecutors the chance to bring forward further charges.

These are expected to include two counts of distributon of indecent images of children, one category A – the most severe type – and one category C.

The case was adjourned to Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday 12th April, with Judge Jackson requesting the case be “expedited” to avoid imposing further strain on the defendant.

Judge Jackson said allegations of distributing indecent images of children carried a possible starting sentence of three years imprisonment whereas the original charges against George carry a lesser possible starting sentence of one year.

He said: “There is a stark difference between making and distributing these images.  It would be an artificial exercise for me to sentence these charges of making when other charges for distribution may be brought forward.”

Julian King, defending, told the court: “This has taken a heavy toll on Mr George, professionally and personally – the loss of his job, his mental health and family relationships.”

Urging the judge to proceed to sentence, he said: “This is suitable for a suspended sentence to allow the defendant to move forward with his life.”

Mr King added that he believed George was “considering serious self-harm.”

“He has reported those thoughts to me today. I do harbour that concern for his wellbeing. I have sought mental health liaison officers available in court. They’re not in today. That is the toll this is taking on this defendant,” said Mr King.

Judge Jackson said: “If I adjourn this for any period of time this is going to impose strain on Mr George. I can see that from his demeanour in court.”

He said the case needed to be expedited and that any further delay “would not be appropriate in this case.”

George had previously appeared before magistrates on February 15 when he admitted making the images between March 7, 2014, and October 14, 2021, in Bromsgrove.