ANDREW PEET FROM NAILSEA SENTENCED IN BRISTOL FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the local community of Nailsea and the wider Bristol area, Andrew Peet, a 22-year-old man, was sentenced to prison after admitting to possessing and sharing indecent images of children. The disturbing details of his activities emerged during a court hearing at Bristol Crown Court, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that spanned several years.

According to court records, Peet's illicit activities came to light when his details were flagged by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, a US-based organization dedicated to combating child exploitation. This detection prompted a forensic investigation into his digital devices, which uncovered a vast collection of illegal material. Peet, who resided in Valley Gardens, Nailsea, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of child abuse images.

During the proceedings, Judge Michael Roach expressed his disappointment and concern over the case, stating, “It is very sad to see a man of your age and of good character, of whom people speak very well in court, pleading guilty to offences of this seriousness.” The judge sentenced Peet to 18 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

Furthermore, Peet was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. He was also subjected to a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. These measures are designed to protect the community and prevent any potential reoffending.

Prosecutor Richard Posner provided additional details, revealing that Peet, who works as a carpenter and maintenance worker at Bristol University, had actively searched for terms related to child abuse on the internet. Authorities discovered that he had stored folders containing a staggering 47,000 images across two computers. Forensic analysis of approximately 6,000 of these images identified 2,645 indecent photographs, primarily of pre-pubescent boys and girls, along with 45 indecent videos involving children.

The police also found evidence that Peet had forwarded some of this material to others, further highlighting the extent of his involvement in the distribution of illegal content. Despite his actions, Peet maintained that he would never physically harm or photograph children himself. He expressed remorse, stating that he was sickened by his own behavior and acknowledged that children would have been harmed in the process of creating the images.

It was noted during the trial that Bristol University was aware of Peet’s activities but chose to retain him in his role. He was no longer involved in scouting activities, and his participation in the British Canoeing Union limited his contact to adults over 18. His defense lawyer, Caroline Harvey, indicated that Peet had voluntarily sought treatment for his condition, emphasizing his lack of prior convictions and his awareness of the impact of his actions. She urged the court to consider his age and the steps he had taken towards rehabilitation, despite the seriousness of the charges.