PETER PHILLIPS-JONES SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR CHILD INDECENCY IMAGES

Peter Phillips-Jones, of Hayter Gardens in Romsey, was found to have stored 2,820 indecent images on his electronic devices. These included a mixture of photos and videos categorized from A—the most severe—to C. Prosecution barrister Puneet Grewal explained that the 59-year-old veterinary technician used the website TalkwithStranger. She detailed how he would receive, download, and share images of children with other users. However, Phillips-Jones denied engaging in conversations about child abuse, the court was told.

Ms. Grewal informed the court that police visited his home on May 31 last year after it was suspected he had been uploading indecent images online. When asked if he was responsible, Phillips-Jones admitted, “yes.” He appeared before Southampton Crown Court, pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, with the offenses occurring between 2016 and 2020.

Unrepresented and with no previous convictions, Phillips-Jones was visibly emotional, weeping while seated in the dock. Judge Gary Burrell QC questioned him and allowed him to address the court.

When asked why he viewed such images, he responded, “I was just playing on my computer. I was lonely. I was on my own. That was the reason why.” The judge pointed out that more than a thousand images had been found on his devices, to which Phillips-Jones replied that he was not very “computer literate,” and some files could have been duplicates. He also stated, “I have never liked the internet.”

As for his motivation, he explained that “intrigue” led him to look at the images but denied being sexually attracted to children. He added, “I did not look at them consistently or go to look at them all the time.”

Judge Burrell sentenced him to a 24-month community order, which includes up to 40 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, Phillips-Jones is required to register as a sex offender for five years.