PETER HOPPER FROM SCUNTHORPE SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING 790 INDECENT IMAGES OF YOUNG BOYS

In a case that has shocked the local community of Scunthorpe, Peter Hopper, a 63-year-old man residing on Avon Road, was brought before Grimsby Crown Court to face serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of minors. The proceedings revealed that Hopper had accumulated a staggering total of 790 indecent images depicting young boys, a discovery that prompted a stern judicial response.

During the court session, the prosecution, led by Richard Butters, detailed the extent of the evidence against Hopper. The police had executed a search warrant at his residence on March 27 of the previous year, during which they uncovered a Compaq PC in Hopper’s living room containing 57 images of concern. Additionally, the authorities found 212 inaccessible indecent images on the same computer, along with 384 inaccessible images stored on an Aptiva computer and another 137 on a Packard Bell PC. These findings highlighted the disturbing nature of the material Hopper possessed.

Hopper, who previously worked as a butcher for over two decades and also served with the Royal Mail, admitted to one charge of possessing indecent images of children and three charges of making such images. Notably, he had no prior criminal record, and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which the court acknowledged.

In mitigation, Hopper’s legal representative, Anthony Farrell, emphasized his client’s employment history and lack of previous convictions, suggesting that these factors should be considered in the sentencing process. Despite this, the judge, Kate Buckingham, delivered a firm warning about the seriousness of Hopper’s actions. She stated, “You should recognise that there are serious distortions in your thinking that have allowed you to commit these offences. You must address these, otherwise you may very well be back before the court and going to custody.”

As part of the sentence, Hopper was subjected to a three-year community order that includes supervision and a requirement to complete a sex offender treatment programme. Furthermore, he was issued a five-year sexual offences prevention order, placed on the sex offenders’ register for the same duration, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about safeguarding children and the importance of rigorous legal action against offenders involved in the distribution and creation of such harmful material.