PETER QUINTON FROM BODMIN AND GLOUCESTER ARRESTED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN BODMIN

A shocking incident unfolded in Bodmin when a homeowner was unexpectedly detained in his own residence, right in front of his wife, by police officers investigating serious allegations involving a known sex offender. The individual in question, Peter Quinton, aged 31, who has connections to both Bodmin and Gloucester, was the focus of a police operation targeting his activities related to child exploitation.

Police had been actively pursuing Quinton due to his prior convictions and ongoing online activities. The investigation was initiated after authorities received intelligence from an online paedophile investigation team, which traced an IP address linked to child pornography being accessed from a property in Bodmin. On July 27, 2021, law enforcement officials executed a warrant at the Bodmin address, leading to the arrest of the property owner. During the course of the investigation, officers discovered that Quinton was residing in an annex attached to the main residence.

Further examination of electronic devices belonging to Quinton revealed disturbing evidence. A laptop seized during the raid contained five images classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of child exploitation material, along with one Category B image and two Category C images. All images were still photographs depicting children aged between one and seven years old. Additionally, police found that Quinton had conducted online searches related to child abuse images, and the filenames of files on his devices referenced toddlers and infants, highlighting his disturbing interests.

The homeowner, who was unaware of Quinton’s criminal background at the time, expressed remorse, stating that had he known Quinton was a sex offender, he would never have allowed him to live in his property. During police interviews, Quinton remained largely silent but suggested that the homeowner might have been involved in the access or distribution of the illicit material, a claim that was not substantiated.

It was revealed that Quinton had a history of similar offences, having been convicted in 2015 and sentenced to non-custodial measures. His past convictions and the current findings painted a troubling picture of his ongoing engagement with illegal material.

Representing Quinton, lawyer Nicholas Wragg highlighted that his client had maintained stable employment and a healthy relationship for many years. Wragg also explained that Quinton had suffered abuse as a child and had witnessed domestic violence, factors which he claimed had profoundly affected his mental health and contributed to his current state. Furthermore, Quinton has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can lead to impulsive behaviors.

During sentencing, Recorder John Trevaskis acknowledged the complex background of Quinton, emphasizing that individuals involved in such crimes often have histories of abuse themselves. The judge noted that although Quinton had not directly harmed children, his interest in child exploitation images contributed to a global problem of child abuse and exploitation. Despite the severity of the offences, the court recognized mitigating factors, including Quinton’s family support and his wife’s backing.

Ultimately, Quinton was sentenced to a two-year community order, which includes 300 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to undergo rehabilitation to address his offending behavior. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual harm prevention order to restrict his access to potentially harmful material and prevent further offences.