PETER LOW OF HEYBRIDGE FACES JUSTICE AFTER CHILD SEX IMAGE SCANDAL IN MALDON

In April 2017, a disturbing case involving Peter Low, a vicar from Heybridge, came to light when authorities uncovered a significant collection of indecent images of children stored on his personal devices. Low, aged 65, who served as the vicar for the parishes of Heybridge and Langford until July of the previous year, was found to possess and view a total of 179 illicit images, including some of the most severe category A material depicting penetrative acts involving pre-pubescent children.

The investigation was triggered after Low reported a break-in at his Crescent Road residence in Heybridge, following his return from holiday. During the police inquiry, officers discovered a series of handwritten and illustrated stories, which contained explicit sexual content involving children. These stories had been distributed through the letterboxes of neighboring houses, raising suspicions about their origin.

Further inquiries linked the handwriting on these graphic stories to Low, leading to his arrest on July 28. During the subsequent search of his property, police recovered a black computer tower that contained a disturbing array of images. Among these were nine images classified as Category A, representing the most serious type of child exploitation material, including explicit penetrative acts involving children. Additionally, the police found 25 images in Category B, 21 in Category C, and 124 prohibited cartoon images of children.

Low faced multiple charges at Chelmsford Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child. The court proceedings took place on March 29, and during this hearing, Low admitted to the possession of these illicit materials. As a result of the investigation, the Bishop of Chelmsford suspended Low from his duties as a vicar, and he is now subject to a Church disciplinary process under the Clergy Discipline Measure.

On May 2, Low appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing. The court was informed that the images stored on his device predominantly depicted pre-pubescent boys. Prosecutor Peter Dare noted that, although the number of images was relatively low compared to other cases, the search history on Low’s computer revealed disturbing terms such as “boy models,” “eight year old boys,” “schoolboy sex,” and “nude children pictures,” indicating a premeditated interest in child exploitation material during 2015 and 2016.

Judge Jeremy Benson, presiding over the case, stated that he would not impose a custodial sentence, emphasizing the seriousness with which possession of such images is regarded by the courts. He acknowledged that the nine Category A images involved the most severe form of abuse, but also highlighted Low’s guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, his age, and his previously unblemished record as mitigating factors. The judge ordered the destruction of the computer and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Low.

Low was sentenced to a 36-month community order, which includes the requirement to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and to undergo sex offender rehabilitative treatment. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register, ordered to pay £670 in prosecution costs, along with the statutory surcharge, all within three months. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the offense, balanced against the circumstances of the defendant’s early guilty plea and his age, which the judge considered in his sentencing remarks.