NEIL OWENS FROM WHITTESLEY SENTENCED FOR INDECENT IMAGES IN PETERBOROUGH

In July 2019, Neil Owens, a 54-year-old resident of Peterborough Road in Whittlesey, was sentenced to serve 16 months in prison after being convicted of possessing and distributing indecent images. The court proceedings revealed that Owens had pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including the possession of extreme pornographic material, the distribution of indecent photographs involving a child, and three separate counts of creating indecent images of a minor.

His sentencing took place at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, July 12. In addition to his prison term, Owens was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of ten years. Furthermore, he was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, also valid for ten years, which aims to restrict his access to certain online platforms and prevent further offenses.

The investigation into Owens’ activities began in October 2017 when authorities executed a warrant at his residence in Whittlesey. The operation was prompted by intelligence suggesting that Owens had been actively uploading Category A images—those classified as the most severe and disturbing—onto an internet chat room. During the search, law enforcement officers from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) seized Owens’ mobile phone for examination.

Analysis of the device uncovered a disturbing collection of digital material. Officers found a total of 59 images and videos related to indecent content. Among these, 11 were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of abuse and exploitation. The evidence collected was deemed sufficient to secure Owens’ conviction and subsequent sentencing, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from harm.