WALLSEND MAN PETER FERGUSON SENTENCED FOR FACEBOOK OBSESSION WITH SCHOOLGIRL IN NEWCASTLE

In September 2013, a man from Wallsend named Peter Ferguson was handed a community order after engaging in a disturbing online obsession with a 14-year-old girl. The case, heard at Newcastle Crown Court, revealed that Ferguson, aged 45, had developed an infatuation with the young girl after meeting her at a family wedding in Wallsend. Over the course of approximately eighteen months, Ferguson bombarded her with more than 1,000 messages on Facebook, many of which initially appeared innocent but gradually became increasingly inappropriate and sexual in nature.

According to court proceedings, Ferguson’s persistent messaging included requests for the girl to meet him nine times, as well as propositions for kisses and cuddles. The court was told that his behavior caused significant distress to the victim and her family. Judge Penny Moreland emphasized the impact of Ferguson’s conduct, stating, “The first consideration for the court has been the impact of this behaviour on the victim and her family. She’s clearly been upset by your course of conduct and any parent would be alarmed by such a course of conduct, on any view it was entirely inappropriate.”

Prosecutor Gavin Doig explained that while many of Ferguson’s initial messages were innocent, his communications soon took a darker turn. He recounted that Ferguson repeatedly contacted the girl on Facebook, asking her to meet him, go to the cinema, and inquiring about her relationship status, including whether she had a boyfriend. As the messages grew more sexual, the girl confided in her form tutor earlier this year, which led to police involvement.

When Ferguson was arrested, he claimed that he never intended for anything to escalate and admitted that the situation had gotten out of hand. He pleaded guilty to charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Ferguson, who resides on Dene Crescent in Wallsend, was sentenced to a three-year community order. Additionally, he is required to sign the sex offender register for five years, attend a sex offender group work programme, and is prohibited from working with children. A sexual offences prevention order was also issued, explicitly banning him from contacting minors online, with the exception of his own daughter.