PETER WEBBER SHOCKS EXMOUTH AND COLYTON WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SCANDAL

In December 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Peter Webber, a senior teacher at one of Britain’s most prestigious state schools, who was found to possess an alarming collection of child abuse images. The incident unfolded after Webber was caught in an undercover police operation that uncovered his disturbing online activities.

Peter Webber, aged 51 and residing on Lincoln Close in Exmouth, was identified as a user of a chat room monitored by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Unit (CEOP). His online pseudonym was Paul45, and he had been a member of the site motherless.com since 2009. The police investigation revealed that Webber initiated a chat session at 7:00 am on a school day, which lasted until 7:45 am, during which he engaged in conversations with an undercover officer posing as a fellow paedophile.

During the exchange, the officer asked Webber if he would act on his fantasies by having sexual relations with a 12-year-old girl. Webber, under a false identity, responded affirmatively, indicating a willingness to turn his disturbing fantasies into reality. This conversation was part of a broader investigation that led to his arrest after police executed a warrant at his home in East Devon on June 7. At the time, Webber was away on a school course on Dartmoor, where he was subsequently detained.

Authorities seized multiple computers and electronic devices from his residence, which contained a staggering total of 6,687 images. These included 262 images depicting children engaged in sexual acts with adults, and 35 images classified in the most serious category, which involved torture, sadism, or bestiality. The images featured girls aged as young as three and up to 15 years old, highlighting the severity and disturbing nature of the material Webber possessed.

Webber, who was employed as the head of science at Colyton Grammar School in Devon, faced multiple charges. He admitted to 15 counts of making indecent images and two counts of distributing such images. His actions prompted a serious legal response, and he was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court to six months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, Judge Phillip Wassall ordered him to participate in a sex offenders’ treatment program.

The judge explained that his decision to suspend the prison sentence was influenced by Webber’s acknowledgment of his addiction to pornography and his efforts to seek help through the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to addressing such issues. Judge Wassall emphasized that although Webber was a teacher, there was no evidence to suggest he engaged in contact offenses or sought to exploit children directly. The judge noted, “It is an aggravating feature that at the time you were a teacher, but I must point out there is no evidence at all that you crossed the line into contact offenses and a great deal of evidence that you did not.”

He further stated, “Your work as a teacher put you in the presence of children, and there is no suggestion that you crossed the line or sought to involve children in your fantasies, despite having the opportunity. You did not engage in any contact with children, and you were able to resist the temptation despite your distorted thinking that led to these horrific offenses.”

Prosecutor Miss Janice Eagles highlighted that Webber was identified after engaging in a chat with an undercover CEOP officer on the website motherless.com. She explained that Webber used the pseudonym Paul45 and had been active on the site since 2009. The police traced his online activity and arrested him while he was on Dartmoor during a school trip. Webber admitted to browsing the internet early in the mornings or after school hours but denied any improper conduct at school itself.

Webber’s case drew attention to the vulnerability of children and the responsibilities of educators. The prosecution argued that his position as a teacher should have made him more aware of the risks and the importance of protecting children from exploitation. His possession of over 6,600 images, all of young girls aged three to 15, underscored the gravity of his offending.

During the hearing, Webber’s defense attorney, Mr. Adrian Chaplin, stated that his client had taken responsibility for his actions, confided in family and friends, and had resigned from his teaching position immediately after the incident, defying union advice. Webber also attempted to take his own life by hanging himself in the loft of his home, but he was rescued and survived. Since then, he has enrolled in a program with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to address his addiction and prevent future offending.

Reflecting on the impact of his actions, Mr. Chaplin said, “This offending was the result of his individual addiction. He has been candid about how the matters progressed. He moved from adult pornography through his use of chatrooms. He compartmentalized this behavior from his professional life and was blinded to the reality of what this pornography shows.”

Colyton Grammar School, renowned for its academic excellence and consistently ranked among the top state schools for over a decade, expressed its shock and concern over the incident. A school spokesperson stated, “The school obviously takes this development very seriously and is cooperating fully with the police investigation. I can reassure you that, as far as we are aware at this stage, the allegations do not relate in any way to the school or anyone in its community. The school is taking appropriate action in accordance with its internal procedures, and arrangements are already in place to cover the duties of the staff member involved during the investigation. This has come as a very big surprise to the school community, and we are working to come to terms with this situation.”