PHILIP LEVETT FROM BOVEY TRACEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN DEVON

In November 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Philip Levett, a resident of Bovey Tracey, who was caught in a police investigation linked to the sharing and distribution of child abuse images on the internet. The investigation, which focused on the dark corners of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, uncovered that Levett had been exchanging illicit images through these unregulated online platforms.

Authorities traced Levett after they identified his involvement in the exchange of such material. It was revealed that he possessed more than 3,000 offensive images on his computer, which included some of the most severe categories depicting the sexual abuse of children. The police investigation, codenamed Reward, was aimed at targeting internet users who engaged in the sharing of illegal content on peer-to-peer sites, which are typically used for sharing music and movies but are also exploited for distributing child abuse images.

Levett, aged 41 and residing on Station Road in Bovey Tracey, was charged with multiple offences. He admitted to three counts of distributing indecent images of children, six counts of making or possessing such images, and two counts involving possession of extreme images. His actions prompted a serious legal response, but he was spared immediate imprisonment. Instead, he was sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for two years, by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court.

As part of his sentence, Levett was ordered to participate in the Internet Sex Offenders’ Treatment Programme and to undergo two years of supervised probation. During the sentencing, Judge Gilbert acknowledged Levett’s efforts to address his problematic behaviour, noting that since his arrest, he had made efforts to break free from his addiction to viewing indecent images. However, the judge emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, “I bear in mind that since your arrest you have done your best to break your addiction to indecent images, but nonetheless these are serious offences. Deriving sexual pleasure from images of young children being abused sexually may not involve direct contact but if people like you did not download these images then children would not be abused to create them. You have therefore contributed to the appalling experiences which they have had to endure and that is why these are serious offences.”

Prosecutor Gareth Evans explained that Levett was identified through the police operation Reward, which targeted individuals exchanging illegal images on peer-to-peer networks. These platforms, often used for legitimate sharing of music and films, are also exploited by offenders to distribute child abuse material by granting access to content stored on other users’ computers. The police found that Levett’s computer contained 107 images in the most severe category, depicting adults raping or abusing children, along with 3,298 images in less severe categories, including nudity and sexual acts involving children.

William Parkhill, defending Levett, stated that the arrest had been a wake-up call for his client. Levett had voluntarily reached out to an organization dedicated to helping individuals address problematic internet behaviour, indicating his recognition of the issue and his willingness to seek help. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the distribution of child abuse images and the importance of rehabilitation alongside legal penalties.