PETER ENTWISLE OF BURY JAILED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bury, Peter Entwistle, a former prominent figure within the UK Independence Party, has been sentenced to prison for heinous crimes involving the exploitation of minors and the possession of a vast collection of indecent images of children.

According to court proceedings, Entwistle engaged in online conversations with young individuals via MSN Messenger and other social networking platforms. During these interactions, he adopted a highly inappropriate and sexualized tone, explicitly asking children to perform sexual acts for his personal gratification. The court heard that he referred to himself as the 'Naughty Doctor' and used an explicit photograph of two women as his profile picture to lure and communicate with minors.

Among his victims were a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, whom he believed to be a girl. His predatory behavior was uncovered when police officers executed a search warrant at his residence on January 25 of the previous year. During the raid, authorities discovered thousands of indecent images of children stored across multiple devices, including computers, USB sticks, and some that had been printed out. These materials represented a significant and disturbing collection of child abuse imagery.

Peter Entwistle, aged 52 and residing on Broad Oak Lane in Bury, pleaded guilty to 21 counts related to the possession and distribution of indecent images, as well as inciting and attempting to incite children to engage in sexual acts. His guilty plea led to his sentencing to four years and eight months in prison. Additionally, he will be registered on the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

The court was informed that Entwistle had a prior conviction from the 1980s for indecent exposure, but otherwise maintained a clean record until these offenses. During the hearing, his defense team read a letter from Alistair Burt, the former MP for Bury North, which highlighted his good character and contributions to the community. Judge Elliot Knopf acknowledged Entwistle’s age and previous reputation, stating, “You are now 52-years-old, and you have, until these matters, led an exemplary life, which is attributed to by various letters I have received from people ranging from family, colleagues, the rector of churches and an MP.”

It was also revealed that Entwistle was undergoing treatment for depression with a psychiatrist. His involvement in politics included being a founding member of Bury UKIP in March 2011, although he resigned from his position as party chairman in January 2013. The case underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and abuse in the community of Bury.