CHRISTOPHER PEART FROM STANHOPE SENTENCED AFTER REPEATED OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILD ONLINE STING IN DURHAM

In March 2021, Christopher John Peart, a resident of Stanhope, found himself back in legal trouble after a series of disturbing online interactions with what he believed to be underage girls. The sequence of events highlights a troubling pattern of behavior that culminated in his current imprisonment, following a previous conviction and court order.

Peart, aged 34 and living on Rose Terrace in Middleton-in-Teesdale, initially came to court in August 2020 after he was caught attempting to solicit explicit images from a decoy profile of a girl aged 14. This decoy was part of an online sting operation conducted by the Child Online Safety Team, a specialized unit dedicated to protecting children from online predators. During the investigation, Peart made repeated offers to 'Kaylea,' a fake profile created by the team, promising to pay her £50 for each nude photo and an additional £100 to keep her silent. Despite being aware that the profile was a minor, Peart persisted in his attempts to engage her in sexualized conversations.

When confronted by a member of the Child Online Safety Team and before police intervention, Peart attempted to erase evidence from his mobile device, trying to wipe the messages clean. His actions led to his arrest, and he subsequently admitted to attempting to communicate sexually with a child. The court sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete a 30-day sex offenders’ program along with 20 other rehabilitation activities overseen by the Probation Service. Additionally, Peart was required to register as a sex offender and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for ten years.

However, Peart's legal issues did not end there. In August 2021, he appeared via video link from Durham Prison, where he was serving his sentence, to face new charges related to breaching the court order. The court was informed that Peart had failed to disclose the possession of a tablet device during a home visit by his sex offender manager in December. A subsequent police search uncovered the device hidden beneath a set of drawers in his bedroom. An examination of the tablet revealed access to two chat sites where Peart believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl using sexualized language. The investigation confirmed that he was corresponding with another decoy, this time created by an undercover police officer.

When questioned after his arrest, Peart initially denied knowledge of the tablet. Nevertheless, evidence proved otherwise. The court heard that Peart had engaged in explicit conversations with what he thought was a teenage girl, breaching the terms of his previous court orders. Judge James Adkin, presiding over the case, expressed concern that merely three months after receiving a suspended sentence, Peart was involved in “graphic sexual conversation” with what he believed to be a minor. As a result, the judge sentenced him to 29 months in prison and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the tablet device to prevent further misuse.

Throughout these proceedings, Peart’s actions have been scrutinized as part of ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation. His case underscores the importance of strict enforcement of court orders and the persistent threat posed by online predators, especially those who attempt to evade detection through technological means. The legal system continues to hold offenders accountable, aiming to protect vulnerable children from such predatory behavior.