FORMER POLICE OFFICER PETER BROTHERWOOD FROM CHIPPENHAM JAILED FOR SHOWING PORN TO 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BOURNEMOUTH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Chippenham and the surrounding areas, Peter Brotherwood, a 50-year-old former police officer, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of serious misconduct involving a minor. The incident took place in Bournemouth, where Brotherwood, who had previously served with Hampshire Constabulary, was caught engaging in inappropriate behavior with a 14-year-old girl.

According to court records, Brotherwood was convicted of two charges related to causing a child to view a sexual act. The events unfolded in March 2005 when Brotherwood was invited into the girl’s mother’s home to troubleshoot a computer issue. During this visit, he took the opportunity to show the teenage girl a pornographic video, an act that has been described as a gross breach of trust and an abuse of his position.

Further investigations revealed that Brotherwood also displayed a sexually explicit photograph of the girl’s sister, who was 15 at the time. This photograph was kept in Brotherwood’s official ID holder, next to his warrant card, which raised serious concerns about his conduct and the misuse of his police credentials. The court heard that Brotherwood had found the indecent image and, instead of reporting it, kept it in his possession, allowing the girl’s sister to see it as well.

In addition to these charges, Brotherwood pleaded guilty to seven counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child. His actions prompted a thorough investigation by Hampshire Police’s special investigations department, leading to his arrest and subsequent prosecution.

During the court proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court, the prosecution, led by Jonathan Davies, detailed how the mother of the girl had informed Brotherwood about explicit photographs of her adult daughter, which were stored in a bottom drawer in her bedroom. The mother recounted discussing the photographs with Brotherwood, and there was a strong inference that he had borrowed and stored copies of these images on his computer, as well as keeping a hard copy.

Brotherwood’s defense attorney, Adam Feest, acknowledged that his client, whose wife is currently divorcing him, now accepts that his actions constituted a breach of trust. Feest described Brotherwood as a once highly-valued member of the police force who had received a Chief Constable’s commendation for his work in capturing a serial rapist in Southampton. However, the defendant’s conduct has led to his current state of isolation, depression, and shame.

Judge Samuel Wiggs sentenced Brotherwood to eight months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years. The judge emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in law enforcement, stating, “If I were not to impose a custodial sentence, the public would, with justification, say there is one law for the police and another law for everyone else.”

It was noted that Brotherwood, who had retired from Hampshire Constabulary following these allegations, would not face internal disciplinary action because he had already left the force. Despite his decorated career, which included commendations for his work, his actions have overshadowed his previous achievements and have left a lasting stain on his reputation.