RACHEL SUTTON AND PETER LUMLEY FROM PENZANCE AND ROCHDALE ESCAPE JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In a case that has shocked the communities of Penzance in Cornwall and Rochdale, a woman and a man involved in the distribution of indecent images of children narrowly avoided imprisonment after their court appearance at Warrington Crown Court in February 2014.

Rachel Sutton, originally from Cheshire but now residing in Rochdale, and Peter Lumley, from Penzance, appeared before the court following their arrest and subsequent discovery of illicit material on their computers. The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the evidence and the circumstances surrounding their apprehension.

During the proceedings, the court heard that Sutton’s former husband played a crucial role in uncovering the extent of their activities. His intervention was praised by Judge Roger Dutton, who remarked, “This was all gradually leading in one direction to some particularly criminal sexual offence and mercifully that has been avoided by proper intervention and the discovery of e-mails that allowed your former husband to do the right thing and bring this to the attention of the authorities.”

Prosecutor Matthew Jones detailed the extent of the illegal material found on their devices. Sutton was found to have stored 83 indecent images, while Lumley’s computer contained a staggering 529 images. The evidence was obtained through email exchanges between the two, revealing their involvement in sharing these illicit images.

Rachel Sutton, aged 46, was represented by defense lawyer Jason McAdam, who expressed remorse on her behalf. “There’s more than enough evidence to suggest my client is disgusted with what she has done,” McAdam stated. “This is not the sort of case before the court that often and has an ongoing effect on all concerned. Her whole world has fallen apart in the last few months, but it’s difficult to know why she behaved this way.”

He also highlighted that Sutton’s ex-husband had written to the court, describing her as a vulnerable and unhappy woman who had taken responsibility by voluntarily going to the police station with a document admitting her guilt. “This was a low point in her life, but there’s no evidence to suggest she would do it again,” McAdam added.

Peter Lumley, aged 51, had already served the equivalent of a ten-month sentence after being in custody since September of the previous year. His defense, represented by Lisa Judge, emphasized Lumley’s own troubled background, stating that he had described himself as “despicable” and had experienced a “dysfunctional existence” since childhood.

Both Sutton and Lumley were sentenced to three-year community orders, which will require them to be under close supervision by probation services. Lumley is also mandated to complete the Thames Valley sex offender treatment program as part of his rehabilitation.

Judge Dutton concluded the hearing with a stern warning, stating, “You involved yourself in this disgraceful activity. In my opinion, without the influence of Lumley, it would be most unlikely the female defendant would have got involved in these offences. Having said that, you Rachel Sutton had your eyes open and you are a mature adult who knew what you were doing and why you were doing it.”