PETER HEMINGWAY RUGELY SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT WITH EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY IN RUGELEY

In December 2017, Peter Hemingway, a man previously convicted of serious sexual offences involving a six-year-old girl, was found to be in possession of extreme pornographic images on his mobile phone. Hemingway, who was 26 years old at the time, had a criminal record dating back to 2013 when he was sentenced to five years in prison for abusing a young girl. As part of his sentence, he was subject to a Sexual Offences Protection Order, which explicitly prohibited him from accessing or viewing extreme images of a sexual nature.

Despite these restrictions, authorities discovered that Hemingway had been violating the order. During a routine police visit to his residence in Silverdale, located near Rugeley, officers gained access to his mobile device. An examination of his internet history revealed that he had been viewing highly inappropriate and extreme material. The police seized his phone and sent it for forensic analysis, which confirmed the presence of 24 videos depicting acts of bestiality. This discovery was a serious breach of his legal restrictions and prompted immediate action.

The following day, Hemingway was recalled to prison, where he remained in custody. At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to two charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images. Representing himself during the hearing, Hemingway expressed remorse, stating that he had been in custody since February and was disgusted with himself for his actions. He also mentioned that he had engaged with prison officers about undertaking courses that might help him rehabilitate and become a better person upon release.

Judge Paul Glenn addressed Hemingway directly, emphasizing the gravity of his previous conviction and the seriousness of his current violations. He reminded Hemingway of his 2013 conviction, which resulted in a five-year sentence, and highlighted the disturbing nature of the evidence found on his phone. The judge noted that among the 24 videos, seven featured adult females, but he expressed his inability to comprehend how anyone could derive sexual gratification from such material. Despite Hemingway’s expressed remorse, the judge underscored the severity of his misconduct and the ongoing risk posed by individuals with such criminal histories.

Hemingway’s criminal record is rooted in a disturbing case from October 2013, when he was convicted of sexually abusing a six-year-old girl in Rugeley. The abuse began with inappropriate touching and escalated to more invasive acts, including placing his fingers inside the girl’s vagina. The offences occurred over a period of six months at a residence in Rugeley until the girl’s family uncovered the abuse. When police arrested Hemingway in July of the previous year, he was visibly distressed, crying during his arrest. He admitted to five charges of sexual assault, and the court heard that his actions had caused significant harm to the young victim.

Judge Simon Tonking sentenced Hemingway to five years in prison, emphasizing the unpredictable and long-lasting impact such abuse can have on a child's mental health. The judge also ordered Hemingway to register as a sex offender and imposed an indefinite ban on him working with children. Defense attorney Michael Anning suggested that Hemingway’s offending began after the death of his mother and noted that Hemingway had not threatened or coerced the girl into silence. Anning added that Hemingway was struggling to come to terms with his actions and was remorseful, describing his behavior as occurring during a particularly difficult period in his life. Despite his remorse, the court made it clear that Hemingway’s actions had caused irreparable harm, and he remains under strict supervision and restrictions to prevent further offences.