PETER BOULTON FROM MERSEA ESCAPES JAIL AFTER HORRIFIC COLLECTION OF CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN IPSWICH

In a case that has shocked the local community of Mersea and the wider Ipswich area, Peter Boulton, a man with a disturbing collection of indecent images of children, has narrowly avoided a prison sentence despite admitting to multiple serious offences. The court proceedings revealed the extent of Boulton's illicit activities, which spanned over a year and involved hundreds of highly classified images.

In May 2019, Boulton, aged 58 and residing on Waldergraves Lane in Mersea, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court to face charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of minors. The court was informed that he possessed a staggering total of over 3,000 such images, categorized into different levels of severity. Specifically, authorities found 295 images classified as Category A, which are considered the most serious, along with approximately 400 images in Category B and a significant 2,497 images in Category C. These images were collected over a period from May 2011 to April of the previous year.

Further details uncovered during the trial indicated that Boulton had been actively using a Tumblr account to repost these illicit images, often accompanied by comments, which suggests an intent to share or promote this disturbing content. Additionally, law enforcement discovered a USB device containing 20 videos classified as Category C, depicting children in explicit situations. The court also learned that Boulton possessed 52 extreme pornographic images involving explicit acts with animals, as well as 27 images of children that were prohibited under law.

Boulton did not stop at mere possession; he also admitted to distributing six indecent images of children, although the court clarified that he had taken 54 videos and 21 images of a child between October 2011 and June of the following year, which he did not distribute. An additional charge involved voyeurism, where Boulton was accused of recording a person engaged in a private act without their consent, with the apparent purpose of sexual gratification.

During the proceedings, Charlene Sumnall, representing Boulton, emphasized that he was “a man of hitherto good character” and expressed remorse for his actions. She also highlighted that Boulton suffers from multiple endocrine neoplasia 1, a medical condition characterized by the development of tumors within his body, which was considered relevant in the sentencing decision.

Judge David Goodin, after careful consideration, decided to impose an 18-month prison sentence, but this was suspended for two years. The judge also ordered Boulton to be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a decade, aiming to restrict his access to children and prevent further offending. In his remarks, Judge Goodin acknowledged the personal shame and humiliation Boulton must be experiencing, and he reflected on whether incarceration was appropriate given the defendant’s health condition. Ultimately, he concluded that justice did not require Boulton to serve time in prison at this stage.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Boulton received six concurrent sentences, which collectively amount to 18 months. He is also required to adhere to a six-month curfew and participate in a rehabilitation program, emphasizing the court’s focus on both punishment and potential rehabilitation.

Earlier, in March 2019, Boulton faced similar charges and was warned about the possibility of jail time after admitting to voyeurism and amassing a large collection of child abuse images. At that time, he acknowledged possessing 295 Category A images, 394 Category B images, and 2,497 Category C images, all collected between May 2011 and April of the previous year. He also admitted to having 52 extreme images involving animals and 27 prohibited images of children. Boulton further confessed to distributing seven indecent images, likely through comments on a website, and to recording 54 videos and 21 images of a child, which he did not distribute.

During the March proceedings, Boulton, also from Mersea, disputed the use of one of his laptops containing 25 images, claiming he was not responsible for its contents. Nonetheless, the court considered this detail to be immaterial to his sentencing. Judge John Devaux granted Boulton bail until the sentencing hearing scheduled for May, emphasizing that Boulton had pleaded guilty to six offences and had been advised of the likely custodial sentence. The court ordered a pre-sentence report and imposed an interim sexual harm prevention order, restricting his computer use and contact with children, with the final terms to be confirmed at the next hearing.