A 65-year-old man, Mark Pegram, from Enfield, North London, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison after pleading guilty to the commission of a child sex offence and possessing indecent images of a child. Pegram’s arrest came as a result of a collaborative sting operation conducted by Wiltshire Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
Pegram engaged in explicit discussions online and subsequently traveled to Chippenham on November 13, 2021, with the intent of sexually abusing a child. However, upon his arrival, he was met by Wiltshire Police officers and promptly arrested.
Initially denying any intention to commit sexual acts on the child, Pegram later changed his plea to guilty during trial proceedings. In addition to his prison sentence, he is required to register with the police indefinitely, has been issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and has been ordered to pay a £156 surcharge.
READ MORE: Serious Crash Halts M4 Traffic Near Swindon
READ MORE: Wiltshire Road A36 Reopens Following Crash
Detective Constable Kerry Foster described the case as extremely distressing for the jury, highlighting the graphic nature of the messages and recordings involved. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Child Internet Exploitation Team and other agencies to protect vulnerable children from harm.
DI David Wells of SWROCU stressed the significance of identifying and apprehending online offenders who exploit and groom children. He urged the public to report any concerns about child exploitation online to the authorities, emphasizing the priority of safeguarding children in the community.