PETER CURD PLEADS GUILTY IN PLYMOUTH SEX OFFENDER CASE AFTER PAEDOPHILE HUNT
In a case that has shocked the community of Plymouth, Peter Curd, a 29-year-old man from Colwill Road, Estover, was found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with minors after a series of disturbing online interactions.The incident came to light in December 2018 when Curd was caught by a dedicated paedophile hunting team operating within the area.
Curd had been actively sending explicit images and messages to what he believed were underage girls, specifically targeting individuals he thought were 13 and 14 years old through social media platforms.
In reality, he was communicating with adult women who were part of an organized group called Predator Hunters, which aims to identify and apprehend online predators.
These women posed as minors on dating sites such as Waplog and messaging applications like Kik, to lure potential offenders.
During the investigation, Curd used multiple phones to send a series of sexually explicit images, including one depicting a man performing an indecent act, as well as a photograph of his own face.
Despite the decoys clearly stating their age within the initial messages, Curd persisted in his attempts to establish contact and even arranged to meet one of the decoys at a retail park near Hereford.
However, he failed to appear at the designated meeting point, which was observed by members of the Predator Hunters team who were waiting to detain him and alert the police.
Following the failed meeting, the group provided the authorities with detailed information, including phone records that traced Curd’s location back to Plymouth.
During his trial at Plymouth Crown Court, Curd attempted to defend himself by claiming that his phone had been hacked and that he was framed.
He also stated that he was unaware of the whereabouts of Hereford and suggested that someone else had recovered his broken phone, which he claimed he had dropped down the toilet.
Furthermore, he alleged that an unknown individual had used his personal details and photographs to send the illicit messages.
Despite his claims, the jury was not convinced and took just two and a half hours to reach a verdict.
Curd was found guilty of two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor, specifically between June 4 and June 25 of the previous year.
The court proceedings revealed that Curd had been in contact with the decoys through various devices, and he had even sent a photograph of his face to the minors.
In sentencing, Judge James Townsend handed down a suspended prison sentence of 18 months, which will be served under supervision for two years.
Additionally, Curd was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will remain in effect for five years and was placed on the sex offenders register for a decade.
He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work and pay a victim surcharge of £120.
As part of the court's measures to monitor his conduct, Curd is now subject to strict controls on his internet use and contact with minors.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups in Plymouth to combat online predation and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
