PETER DIGGLES FROM RAWTENSTALL CAUGHT IN VILE ONLINE PREDATION SCHEME

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Rawtenstall, Peter Diggles, a 53-year-old quarry worker, was found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal online communications with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer operating under the alias 'Becky' on social media platforms, including KIK messenger.

Over the course of several weeks during the summer of 2019, Diggles initiated and maintained a lewd and sexually explicit conversation with the officer posing as a minor. The exchanges were deeply disturbing, with Diggles repeatedly asking 'Becky' to send him explicit pictures and encouraging her to touch herself in a sexual manner. His actions demonstrated a clear intent to exploit and groom a minor for sexual gratification.

Further compounding his misconduct, Diggles sent explicit photographs of his erect penis to the undercover officer, who was portraying a 13-year-old girl. The messages and images exchanged were of a highly inappropriate nature, and during the course of their communications, Diggles also arranged a phone call. During this call, he explicitly asked 'Becky' to delete all messages and photographs he had sent, indicating an awareness of the illicit nature of his actions.

Prosecutor Charles Brown outlined the case details, explaining that the police had created the 'Becky' identity to catch individuals like Diggles. The police established the minor's age immediately upon contact, which was made on June 13. The conversations escalated quickly, with Diggles expressing a desire to physically touch the girl and asking her to do the same. On June 19, he indicated he wanted to touch her, and two days later, he sent explicit images of his penis, both erect and non-erect. The telephone conversation on June 28 further revealed his attempts to conceal his actions by instructing her to delete all messages and images.

Throughout the exchanges, Diggles also expressed a desire to engage in sexual acts with the minor, asking her to touch herself and suggesting he wanted to touch her private parts. These actions constitute serious criminal offenses involving attempts to communicate sexually with a child and to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

During the court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, it was noted that Diggles had no previous convictions, which was considered in the sentencing. Judge Simon Medland QC described his behavior as 'dirty-minded' and out of character, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. The judge sentenced Diggles to a community order lasting three years, which includes participation in the Horizon programme designed for offenders. Additionally, he was fined £500, and sex offender notification requirements will be in place for five years. A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed to restrict his future conduct and protect the community from potential harm.