PETER RENOU'S FIVE-YEAR ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE IN INVERNESS AND SHEPSHED

In January 2020, a disturbing case emerged involving Peter Renou, a man whose actions and subsequent disappearance spanned several years, leaving authorities grappling with the challenge of bringing him to justice. Renou, a 73-year-old resident of Shepshed, was initially brought to the attention of Leicestershire Police after an accidental online upload revealed his possession of over 86,000 child abuse images. This discovery prompted a series of investigations that would eventually lead to his arrest and a lengthy period of evasion.

Leicestershire Police raided Renou’s home in Griffin Close, Shepshed, in October 2014. During the search, Renou, who was employed in the milling of animal feed, openly admitted to possessing child sexual abuse images. He claimed that he viewed these images as akin to a stamp collection, a comparison that underscored his apparent lack of remorse or understanding of the severity of his actions. The police recovered eight USB sticks and a laptop from his residence, which later revealed a staggering 86,304 images and videos related to child abuse.

Prosecutor Joey Kwong addressed Leicester Crown Court, stating, “He admitted he had been collecting the images. He did not believe it was wrong as he was not paying for it and he said it was like collecting stamps.” This candid admission highlighted Renou’s troubling attitude towards his illegal collection. Following his interview at Coalville Police Station in November 2014, Renou was released on police bail. Instead of facing immediate prosecution, he chose to sell his home, resign from his job, and embark on a journey across the UK in a motorhome.

Despite efforts by detectives to locate him in Shepshed, Renou’s whereabouts remained elusive. Authorities contacted the Department of Work and Pensions, his bank, and even his sister in an attempt to track him down. However, each attempt proved futile, as Renou continually moved after making cash withdrawals, making it impossible to establish a fixed address. His vanishing act spanned five years, during which he traveled extensively, including a period living approximately 350 miles away from Shepsh, on the outskirts of Inverness.

It was not until October 2019 that police finally located Renou, following another inquiry directed at his sister. He voluntarily attended Euston Street Police Station in Leicester, where he was formally charged. Subsequently, he admitted to possessing indecent images at Leicester Magistrates’ Court. His case was then transferred to the Crown Court, which has the authority to impose more severe sentences.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Rhona Campbell commented on the extraordinary nature of Renou’s case. She noted that his five-year disappearance was a significant factor in her decision to suspend his jail sentence, emphasizing that he must have been aware of his obligation to stay in contact with law enforcement authorities. The judge also expressed her shock at the sheer volume of illegal images and videos found at his home, describing the collection as “a simply flabbergasting sum.” She remarked, “You described that as being just like a stamp collection for you,” highlighting the disturbing normalization of his illicit activities and the gravity of the case.