Peter Bellingham – Gorleston

A man who sent a video of a girl being abused to others online claimed he had been involved in the sexual abuse of children, a court has heard.

Peter Bellingham told online users of a KIK account looked at by those who were into young “filth” that he had abused female children.

Norwich Crown Court heard the claim – not understood to be true – was made by the 58-year-old to others involved in a chat, including an undercover police officer.

Duncan O’Donnell, prosecuting, said the covert officer was deployed after police discovered an account linked to him had been used to upload indecent images.

Bellingham, who was part of a KIK account group for adults interested in “young filth”, had made claims to others including the officer he had sexually abused girls.

Although there was no evidence to suggest this had happened, Mr O’Donnell said Bellingham then distributed a Category A video of a girl, depicting a young girl, aged about eight, being abused.

The prosecutor said police were to find “numerous” indecent chats on his phone as well as indecent images showing children.

Bellingham, previously of St Hildas Crescent, Gorleston, appeared at court for sentencing having admitted distributing a Category A image – the most serious – of a child on June 25, 2024.

He also admitted a further two offences of distributing indecent images in June 2024 as well as three offences of making indecent images of children in June 2024.

Judge Anthony Bate said Bellingham had led a “respectable” life but had a “darker side” involving him making and distributing illegal images of children.

He said the images Bellingham involved himself with were “shocking” and drives harm to real children who are physically, emotionally and psychologically affected by the abuse they suffer.

But taking into account Bellingham’s previous good character and pleas to the offences, Judge Bate imposed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

John Morgans, mitigating for Bellingham, said the defendant, who has no previous convictions, was “thoroughly ashamed of what he’s done”.

He said Bellingham “could not be more sorry” but had distributed just one Category A image while in a group chat situation.

He said Bellingham was remorseful and would never commit these sort of offences again.

Bellingham was also given up to 35 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and 240 hours unpaid work.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years and also put on the sex offenders’ register, also for 10 years.