PETER SMITH

CONVICTED MAIDSTONE SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AGAIN

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sentenced to prison for making and viewing indecent images of children.

Peter Smith, 74, formerly of Ellesmere in Shropshire, attempted to evade responsibility for his actions by claiming that the devices seized for analysis were second-hand.

He suggested that previous owners or visitors to his home were the 'real' offenders.

In December 2021, Smith, who was already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) due to a prior conviction for similar offences, used a tablet to search for and make sexually explicit comments about an indecent image of a child.

This device was under monitoring as part of the ongoing SHPO, which alerted specialist officers to the illegal activity.

Following his arrest, a search of Smith's property led to the seizure of a mobile phone and two tablets.

He pleaded guilty to breaching the SHPO by possessing internet-connected devices without notifying the police.

However, he denied responsibility for the offences related to the indecent images.

After a complex investigation and lengthy trial, Smith was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on Monday, 8 September 2025.

Detective Sergeant Si Groves stated, ‘Smith is a prolific offender who displays a deep-rooted propensity to continue acting in the same way, with no regard for the law, nor the victims in his offending.’ He added that Smith refused to take responsibility for his behaviour during the investigation and trial, with the presiding judge noting he was ‘on the cusp of irritating.’ Upon his release, Smith will be subject to strict conditions.