OFFENDER PLEADS GUILTY IN CHILD ABDUCTION CASE IN LINCOLNSHIRE

A man named Billy Peach, aged 34, has admitted to unlawfully taking away a child. He appeared via video link before magistrates in Exeter on Thursday, January 13, where he pleaded guilty to two charges linked to the same girl. The offenses include taking a child without lawful authority and keeping the child from a reasonable person. As a consequence, he was sentenced to three months in jail, but the sentence was suspended for 12 months. The incidents, which occurred in October and December of the previous year, involved the child being found safe and well on both occasions. Peach had previously appeared in custody at a New Year's Day hearing in Exeter Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody, having spent much of that time in isolation due to Covid restrictions. His defense attorney, Mr. Jolyon Tuck, stated that the time in custody allowed Peach to reflect on his behavior and regret his actions, noting he only confirmed his details and pleaded guilty. The prosecution, led by Ms. Leanne Gover, outlined that Peach drove the child away in his car on October 28, and a subsequent incident ended with the child being located at Peach's residence in Lincolnshire after a police search. Peach had already spent about a month in prison, with the defense highlighting his refusal to take a Covid test as a reason for his isolation. He now regrets his conduct and is considered a different person than at previous hearings. Peach must pay a surcharge of £128, and the reporting of the child's identity is restricted under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.