PETER CRAWFORD BROUGH HORROR: CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL SHOCKS NORTH ENGLAND

In January 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Peter Crawford, a 49-year-old resident of Brough, who was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images of children. The police launched an investigation after receiving credible intelligence that Crawford’s address was being used to download such illicit material.

Authorities responded swiftly, executing a search at Crawford’s home in Brough. During the operation, officers confiscated a significant array of electronic devices, including multiple mobile phones, computer towers, desktop computers, hard drives, and pen drives. Additionally, printed photographs depicting child abuse were recovered from the premises.

Prosecutor Phillip Evans outlined the details of the case during proceedings at Hull Crown Court. He explained that Crawford was interviewed on the day of the search, prior to any detailed analysis of the seized devices. During this initial interview, Crawford, to his credit, fully admitted that his computer equipment contained indecent photographs of children.

Subsequent forensic analysis confirmed the severity of the material stored on Crawford’s devices. The investigation uncovered a total of 109 images classified as Category A, representing the most serious form of child exploitation imagery. There were also 504 images categorized as Category B, and a staggering 44,814 images falling under Category C, indicating a vast and disturbing collection.

When questioned again about the material, Crawford remained candid, confessing to being a paedophile. He revealed that he had been downloading this material as a form of stimulus and admitted to viewing such images daily for approximately ten years.

Recorder Ray Singh noted that the offending behavior spanned from 2005 to 2017. The court heard that Crawford’s sexual preferences were specifically for girls aged between ten and fifteen.

Despite his admissions, Crawford insisted that his interest in children was purely visual and did not extend into any physical contact or real-life abuse. However, the police have applied for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), aiming to prevent any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, reflecting the serious concern over his potential risk.

In court, Crawford, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent photographs of children. The judge sentenced him to eight months in prison. Addressing Crawford directly, the judge emphasized the gravity of his actions, stating, “It is incorrect to describe this as pornography; this is abuse of young children. You have fuelled the demand for this type of material. If people like you refrained from looking at these pictures, the demand would cease.”

Furthermore, Crawford was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration, underscoring the ongoing threat his behavior poses to the community of Brough and beyond.