FROME PAEDOPHILE PETER HOARE CAUGHT LOOKING AT CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SOMERSET LIBRARY

In May 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Peter Hoare, a resident of Frome, Somerset, who was caught browsing indecent images of children on a public library computer. The incident drew significant attention from local authorities and the judicial system, highlighting ongoing concerns about internet safety and child protection in public spaces.

Hoare, aged 44, was identified after officials from Somerset County Council’s Network and Security Services conducted routine checks on the computer networks across various libraries in the county. During these checks, they discovered that a single PC at Wells Library had been used to access inappropriate and illegal websites. The investigation revealed that the user had logged in using a library card registered to Peter Hoare, which led to his identification as the suspect.

Following this discovery, police were promptly dispatched to Hoare’s residence on Portland Road, Frome. During a search of his home, officers found a memory stick concealed inside an empty urine sample bottle, which had been secreted away in a rucksack. When the device was analyzed, it contained a total of 66 images of children, most of which fell into the lowest category of severity, with 56 images classified as Category 1 and 10 as Category 2. These images dated from September 2012 to August 2013, indicating ongoing illegal activity over a period of time.

Hoare’s criminal history includes previous convictions related to child sex offences, which added gravity to the case. The court proceedings revealed that he had been charged with similar offences as far back as January 2012, when he was subjected to a high-level community order at Swansea Crown Court. Despite this, he continued to access and view illegal images, raising concerns about his ongoing risk to children.

During the hearing at Taunton Crown Court, the prosecution presented evidence that Hoare had accessed the library’s computer network 28 times during the summer months of July and August 2013. A random sampling of 13 sessions showed that he had used the computer five times specifically to visit illegal websites. Emma Martin, prosecuting, detailed how police investigations linked the online activity directly to Hoare’s library card, and how the images were stored on a memory stick found at his home.

Hoare pleaded guilty to four counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, with the images being taken at Wells Library on July 23, 2013. He also admitted to creating 52 indecent images of a child between September 11, 2012, and August 4, 2013, along with a further count involving 10 images within the same period. His defense attorney, Ed Boyce, acknowledged that Hoare recognized the wrongfulness of his actions and highlighted that he had gained some insight into his offending through a court-ordered program from 2012.

In sentencing, Judge David Ticehurst expressed strong condemnation of Hoare’s behaviour. He emphasized the harm caused to the children depicted in the images, stating, “It is abundantly clear that unless some further action is taken, you will continue to commit these offences. They are subjected to abuse, and they may suffer a lifetime of difficulties because of this.” The judge also pointed out that Hoare’s prior convictions and ongoing access to illegal material demonstrated a clear need for intervention.

As a result, Hoare was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. The judge made it clear that if Hoare committed any further offences during this period, he would face immediate imprisonment for a lengthy term. Additionally, Hoare was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for 15 years, which prohibits him from working with children and imposes strict restrictions on his internet use. He was also ordered to pay a fine of £200.

Somerset County Council issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding and the effectiveness of their filtering software. They stressed that all web activity is monitored and suspicious behaviour is reported to the police, underscoring the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse. The case of Peter Hoare serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by individuals who seek to access and distribute child abuse images, even in seemingly secure public environments like libraries.