Jail For Isle Of Wight Businessman Who Committed "Sickening" Child Sex Offences

A well-known Isle of Wight businessman has been given 18 years in jail for his "sickening" sex crimes against children - some aged as young as 10.

Peter Tomlinson, a former president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, has been sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Friday).

Judge David Melville described the crimes as "sickening". He told the court that Mr Tomlinson is "depraved and dangerous":

"Your offending took a form which was repeated many times. You arranged or attempted to arrange the provision of girls. You spent at least £10,000 on pursuing this activity.

"The thought of such an activity is sickening for decent people. The idea that a mother can do this to her own children is appalling to right thinking people.

"You manipulated their needs to provide you with your sexual gratifications. The sort of remarks you made were disgusting."

The 63-year-old, of Baring Road in Cowes, stood accused of 20 counts of sexual assault against children.

The former JR Zone owner had already admitted 12 counts of child sex offences on December 18, 2020. Today, he pleaded guilty to a further eight counts of sexual offences against children.

These included ten counts of paying for the sexual services of a girl under 13 - by arranging, directing and paying for the live-streamed sexual abuse of children in the Philippines.

The 20 counts are as followed:

• Ten counts of paying for the sexual services of a girl under 13
• Two counts of obtaining the sexual services of a girls under 13
• Three counts of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child under 13
• Two counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an either way offence
• Three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child.

Mr Tomlinson's crimes were found by American authorities, as part of an investigation into live streams of sexual activity, the court heard.

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, said he created a fake username on a Skype account to contact women in the care of children in the Philippines. 

Between May 2015 and April 2017, he paid £5,511 via 127 transactions to accounts in the country.

The court heard how, on occasions, he referred to himself as "buzz", before revealing himself as "Peter Tomlinson from the UK".

Ms Maylin said that, between May 2018 and February 2019, Mr Tomlinson repeatedly paid one female to live stream sexual abuse of a child.

They exchanged 4,166 lines of chat on Skype - 3,809 messages and 358 video calls.

When Mr Tomlinson was eventually arrested at his Cowes home on October 1, 2019, he told officers: 

“The thing you’re looking for is on my computer. It is my escape from reality... my life is over."

A presentence report said "Mr Tomlinson poses a low risk of reoffending but a high risk of harm to children".

Defending, Elisabeth Bussey-Jones, said Mr Tomlinson is "ashamed" of his actions and is aware of the shame he has brought to his family.

She told the court:

"No aspect of anything I say on behalf on Mr Tomlinson seeks to detract from the severity of the offences. 

"He has no previous convictions of any kind. Prior to committing these offences he was a person of considerable standing and respect within the community. That reputation has been quite rightly entirely lost. He knows he deserves nothing less and the consequences that follow.

"He is disgusted, ashamed and deeply regretful of how he acted. He is not seeking sympathy, the depression he suffers he knows has been brought by his own making.

"He is also troubled by the shame he has brought to his own family. Members of his own family have been appalled and disgusted.

Miss Bussey-Jones said Mr Tomlinson's "shame" led to him making "a real and concerted effort to take his own life", before being found by his wife.

She said he is "highly motivated" to change and wants to use his time in prison to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

Mr Tomlinson's sentence was reduced by a third because he pleaded guilty at the first instance.

He was given a consecutive sentence of 18 years. Judge Melville ordered that count five is extended, which will be served last. He said:

"You have been a highly dangerous individual as far as young children are concerned. 

"That is depraved, dangerous and you represent a very dangerous person as far as young girls are concerned."

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to pay £1,800 in costs, as well as a victim surcharge.

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Child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation runs the Stop It Now! helpline.

It offers confidential advice to anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s behaviour towards children.

You can all 0808 1000 900 or find out more here: www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk.