PETER WEBSTER OF BACUP FACES SERIOUS CHILD SEX IMAGE CHARGES IN PRESTON COURT
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Bacup Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Bacup, Peter Webster, a man with a notable background as an Army veteran and a dedicated volunteer within the local community, was found to be involved in the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The allegations and subsequent court proceedings reveal a disturbing pattern of behavior that has raised significant concern among residents and authorities alike.
According to court records, police officers executed a search warrant at Webster’s residence on Gladstone Street in Bacup in August of the previous year. During the raid, law enforcement officials discovered a collection of indecent images stored on a computer located in Webster’s bedroom. The images, as presented in court, depicted children aged between eight and twelve years old engaged in sexual acts with adults. These findings prompted immediate legal action against Webster, who was subsequently charged with multiple offenses related to child exploitation.
Preston Crown Court heard that Webster, aged 47 at the time, had downloaded these illicit images over a period of seven days. The material included content from an incest website as well as a genuine naturist site, raising further concerns about the nature and intent behind his online activities. During police interviews, Webster initially chose to remain silent, refusing to comment on the allegations. In a subsequent interview, he attempted to shift blame onto another family member, a move that did little to mitigate the severity of his actions.
Webster’s background as a former volunteer with Veterans in Communities, coupled with his military service in Iraq, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland, has added a layer of complexity to the case. His community involvement and military service had previously earned him respect, but these recent allegations have cast a shadow over his reputation.
Judge Simon Newell, presiding over the case, addressed the court and emphasized that a custodial sentence would not serve the best interests of rehabilitation or public safety in this instance. He stated, “An immediate prison sentence would only keep Webster in custody for a few weeks and would not allow for the necessary psychological treatment that could prevent future offending.” The judge highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues and expressed hope that Webster would make progress through the court-mandated treatment programs.
Webster was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes an 80-day sex offender treatment program and a 30-day rehabilitation activity. Additionally, he was issued a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years. The prosecution, led by David Clarke, detailed that the police had acted based on information received about Webster’s access to indecent images from his address. The court also noted that Webster had downloaded images from both incest and naturist sites, raising questions about his motives and the extent of his online activities.
In a related case from September 2017, Webster admitted to making indecent images of children, including two Category A images, which represent the most severe form of child sexual abuse, along with five Category B and two Category C images. These offenses occurred between August 13 and August 20, 2016. The court was also informed of an unproven allegation of voyeurism involving a young girl in Harrogate on August 12, 2016, which was left on file. Webster faced the possibility of imprisonment, with the judge warning that a custodial sentence could be imposed at the next hearing scheduled for October 26, after the completion of a medical and pre-sentence report.
Throughout the proceedings, Webster was granted conditional bail, which restricted his internet access and prohibited any unsupervised contact with children. Judge Newell emphasized that all sentencing options remained open, including the possibility of a custodial sentence, depending on the reports and the court’s final judgment. The case continues to be a matter of concern for the community of Bacup, as authorities seek to ensure justice and prevent future harm.
According to court records, police officers executed a search warrant at Webster’s residence on Gladstone Street in Bacup in August of the previous year. During the raid, law enforcement officials discovered a collection of indecent images stored on a computer located in Webster’s bedroom. The images, as presented in court, depicted children aged between eight and twelve years old engaged in sexual acts with adults. These findings prompted immediate legal action against Webster, who was subsequently charged with multiple offenses related to child exploitation.
Preston Crown Court heard that Webster, aged 47 at the time, had downloaded these illicit images over a period of seven days. The material included content from an incest website as well as a genuine naturist site, raising further concerns about the nature and intent behind his online activities. During police interviews, Webster initially chose to remain silent, refusing to comment on the allegations. In a subsequent interview, he attempted to shift blame onto another family member, a move that did little to mitigate the severity of his actions.
Webster’s background as a former volunteer with Veterans in Communities, coupled with his military service in Iraq, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland, has added a layer of complexity to the case. His community involvement and military service had previously earned him respect, but these recent allegations have cast a shadow over his reputation.
Judge Simon Newell, presiding over the case, addressed the court and emphasized that a custodial sentence would not serve the best interests of rehabilitation or public safety in this instance. He stated, “An immediate prison sentence would only keep Webster in custody for a few weeks and would not allow for the necessary psychological treatment that could prevent future offending.” The judge highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues and expressed hope that Webster would make progress through the court-mandated treatment programs.
Webster was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes an 80-day sex offender treatment program and a 30-day rehabilitation activity. Additionally, he was issued a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years. The prosecution, led by David Clarke, detailed that the police had acted based on information received about Webster’s access to indecent images from his address. The court also noted that Webster had downloaded images from both incest and naturist sites, raising questions about his motives and the extent of his online activities.
In a related case from September 2017, Webster admitted to making indecent images of children, including two Category A images, which represent the most severe form of child sexual abuse, along with five Category B and two Category C images. These offenses occurred between August 13 and August 20, 2016. The court was also informed of an unproven allegation of voyeurism involving a young girl in Harrogate on August 12, 2016, which was left on file. Webster faced the possibility of imprisonment, with the judge warning that a custodial sentence could be imposed at the next hearing scheduled for October 26, after the completion of a medical and pre-sentence report.
Throughout the proceedings, Webster was granted conditional bail, which restricted his internet access and prohibited any unsupervised contact with children. Judge Newell emphasized that all sentencing options remained open, including the possibility of a custodial sentence, depending on the reports and the court’s final judgment. The case continues to be a matter of concern for the community of Bacup, as authorities seek to ensure justice and prevent future harm.