Peter Howard, a paedophile from St Neots, who masqueraded as a lady to coerce a man into abusing his own daughter, has received a four-year prison sentence.
Peter Howard, residing on Masefield Avenue in Eaton Ford, St Neots, impersonated a 21-year-old woman during online communications with another individual from January to September 2019.
The preliminary inquiry disclosed that Peter Howard, 29, had disseminated indecent photos on social media, although the ages of the individuals depicted in the images could not be ascertained. He had also obtained category B and C indecent photographs of minors.
A warrant was executed at his residence in September 2019, resulting in his arrest on accusations of producing and disseminating indecent photographs of minors.
Two laptops were confiscated and examined, revealing two indecent images: one classified as category A and the other as category B. Eleven further lewd photographs were found on Howard’s iPhone.
During the interview, he informed Cambridgeshire Constabulary investigators that he had impersonated a 21-year-old woman and had incited the man to sexually exploit his own daughter, stating that he “derived excitement” from this behaviour.
Peter Howard claimed he would never abuse a child “in real life” and for him it was “pure fantasy”.
More than 600 messages were found on the phone between Peter Howard and the other man, with indecent images being shared. The man had also taken selfies and sent them to Peter Howard, who he at the time believed to be a woman.
Peter Howard pleaded guilty to facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence and three counts of making an indecent image of a child at a previous court hearing.
On May 27 2021 at Cambridge Crown Court, Peter Howard was jailed and placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
He was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), allowing police to manage and monitor his online behaviour and reduce the risk of harm to the public.
DC Tony Harlow, of the force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: “Peter Howard’s behaviour was completely inappropriate and will no doubt be shocking to many. Using the internet in this way will not be tolerated.
“A child is victimised not only when an indecent image is taken, but also every time it is viewed or shared. Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”
He is out in the community. Where is he?
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