PETER SHARPE FROM STRETTON CAUGHT WITH OVER 1,600 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN BURTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Peter Sharpe, a pensioner residing in Stretton, was found to possess a significant collection of indecent images of children on his computers at his Burton home. The police investigation uncovered that Sharpe had been downloading this illicit material over a span of five years, raising serious concerns about his activities and the potential harm involved.

According to court records, the police executed a search at Sharpe’s residence in Burton on June 28 of the previous year after receiving credible information regarding suspicious internet activity linked to his address. During the search, officers recovered four electronic devices, which contained a total of approximately 1,650 images and videos depicting children in various states of abuse. The material was categorized into different levels of severity, with 20 images and videos classified as Category A, indicating the most serious content. Additionally, there were 240 images under Category B, and a substantial 1,400 images in Category C. Among the disturbing files, investigators also found 47 items related to extreme pornography, including six movies involving bestiality.

At Stafford Crown Court, 66-year-old Peter Sharpe faced charges related to the possession of indecent images of children and extreme pornography, with the offences spanning from September 2010 to June of the previous year. During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Darron Whitehead, detailed the extent of Sharpe’s illegal activities and the nature of the material found.

Judge Jonathan Gosling presided over the case and sentenced Sharpe to a two-year community order. While acknowledging that Sharpe had led a seemingly blameless life prior to these events, the judge expressed concern over the development of an unnatural interest in such material. He explicitly rejected Sharpe’s claim that he derived no sexual pleasure from his actions, stating, “No person would do this otherwise, but you are not being punished for what is going on inside your head.”

Judge Gosling emphasized that Sharpe’s possession of these images created a demand that, in turn, contributed to the ongoing abuse and exploitation of children. Despite the gravity of the offences, the judge decided against immediate custody, opting instead for a community-based sentence that includes mandatory attendance at a rehabilitation program and the completion of 150 hours of unpaid work. Furthermore, Sharpe will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for five years. He was also ordered to pay £500 in court costs.

In addition to the community order, Sharpe’s sentence includes strict conditions aimed at preventing any future offences and protecting the public from potential harm. The case has raised serious concerns about the presence of such illegal material within the local area and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in tackling these issues.