A registered sex offender’s attempt to cover up his crimes online has failed, resulting in a 21-month prison sentence. Peter Ash, 52, from Kenwyn Hill Caravan Park in Truro, was caught after police discovered disturbing images of a dog being sexually abused on his device.
Ash appeared at Truro Crown Court on 13 February where he pleaded guilty to three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, possession of extreme pornography, and breaking sex offender notification rules. The judge sentenced him to 21 months in prison and imposed a seven-year period on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Ash’s legal troubles began in 2022 when he was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse images and was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as part of his sentence.
The police investigation intensified in September 2025 after officers from Devon & Cornwall Police received information about online chats involving child abuse. They located Ash at his home in Truro.
Further inquiries revealed that Ash tried to conceal his activities by failing to notify police about a new mobile device, using encrypted apps to avoid detection, and employing a VPN to mask his IP address. These actions led to additional charges for breaching court orders.
Police Constable Dean Martin from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team commented, “I welcome the sentence given to Peter Ash at Truro Crown Court. Ash’s desperate attempts to mask his internet history show total disregard for the court order designed to stop him offending.”
Authorities urge anyone suspecting sexual offences in their area to report immediately by calling 101 or visiting the police website. In emergencies, always dial 999.
Originally published by UKNIP.
