MARK PEGRAM AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN MIDDLESEX AND WILTSHIRE

A man identified as Mark Pegram has been sentenced to prison after traveling from Middlesex to Chippenham with the intent to sexually abuse a child. The case, which has garnered significant attention, culminated in Pegram being convicted at Swindon Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges related to child sex offences and the possession of indecent images of a child.

Pegram, aged 65, engaged in numerous explicit online conversations with an undercover officer. The officer was posing as a woman claiming to have a nine-year-old daughter, and during these exchanges, Pegram discussed his intentions in graphic detail. The defendant, who resides on Chase Side Avenue in Enfield, London, was arrested after he arranged a meeting, believing he would be able to carry out sexual acts on the child. He traveled to the designated location in Chippenham, Wiltshire, but was apprehended before any harm could occur.

Initially, Pegram denied any intention of engaging in sexual acts with the child and chose to stand trial. However, during the proceedings, he changed his plea to guilty, acknowledging his guilt for the offences. The court sentenced him to four years in prison and ordered that he be registered as a sex offender indefinitely. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to restrict his future activities.

Detective Constable Kerry Foster of Wiltshire Police described the case as extremely distressing for the jury involved. She explained that the jury was required to review numerous messages containing explicit descriptions of the sexual acts Pegram planned to commit when he met the supposed child. They also listened to recordings that detailed the sexual acts he intended to perform.

Foster emphasized the importance of the work carried out by the Child Internet Exploitation Team, which collaborates with agencies such as children’s social care and health services to protect vulnerable children from harm. She urged the public to report any suspicions of child sexual exploitation immediately.

Furthermore, Detective Inspector David Wells from the Online Investigations Team at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit highlighted the significance of efforts to identify offenders who use the internet to groom children. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to safeguarding children and encouraged anyone concerned about online exploitation to contact law enforcement authorities without delay.