PETER DAVIES FROM GLEDHOLT AND NEWSOME JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Gledholt and Newsome, 75-year-old Peter Davies has been sentenced to a year in prison for his involvement in the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The legal proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior that persisted even after his initial arrest.

Back in October 2010, police officers conducting an unrelated investigation at Davies’ residence in Gledholt Bank, Gledholt, uncovered a computer containing a significant number of child pornography images. This discovery prompted further inquiries, and Davies was subsequently released on bail while authorities continued their investigation. However, the situation took a darker turn when, in February 2011, police visited Davies’ new address on St John’s Avenue, Newsome. During this visit, officers found him again in possession of more indecent images of minors stored on his computer equipment.

The police analysis of Davies’ digital devices uncovered a disturbing collection of material. Among the files were over 230 extreme pornographic images involving bestiality, which Davies admitted he had intended to sell to others. Prosecutor Giles Bridge detailed some of the content found on Davies’ devices, highlighting the severity of the material. One particularly disturbing video lasted nearly an hour and depicted up to five young girls aged between nine and 14 engaging in a simulated robbery in a jewelry store before stripping naked. Other videos included a girl aged between three and five, and another showing a naked girl aged six to eight clutching a teddy bear.

In total, police identified nearly 50 indecent images of children on Davies’ computer. During the search at his Gledholt address, officers also discovered a fully operational Taser stun gun stored in a bedside table. Davies claimed he had been given the stun gun but had never used it.

At an earlier court hearing, Davies admitted to multiple charges, including the creation of indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornographic material, which had been illegal since January 2009. The judge, Jonathan Rose, expressed concern over a pre-sentence report in which Davies claimed he had no interest in child pornography. However, Davies’ barrister, Gillian Batts, clarified that her client now accepted that he had indeed downloaded such material and that it reflected a troubling interest.

Gillian Batts explained that Davies, who had no prior convictions, was aware of the social stigma attached to these crimes and had found it difficult to be honest with probation officers. Judge Rose emphasized the damaging nature of such offenses, stating, “The making of indecent images of children is a hugely damaging enterprise. Were it not for men like you who take perverted pleasure from viewing this material, there would be no cause for children to suffer whenever a single photo is taken.”

As part of his sentence, Davies will be required to register as a sex offender with the police for the next ten years. Additionally, he was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order for the same duration, aiming to prevent any further harm or illegal activity related to his offenses.