Convicted Maidstone sex offender jailed for further offences

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been jailed again for making and viewing indecent images of children.

Peter Smith, formerly of Ellesmere in Shropshire, tried to avoid responsibility for the offences by claiming devices seized for analysis were second hand and implied previous owners or visitors to his household were the ‘real’ offenders.

Prior conviction

In December 2021, the 74 year old, who had been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) following a previous conviction for similar offences, used a tablet to search for and make sexually explicit comments about an indecent image of a child.

The device was being monitored, as part of the ongoing SHPO, and the illegal activity was flagged to specialist officers.

Smith was arrested and a search of his property led to the seizure of a mobile phone and two tablet devices.

He pleaded guilty to breaching the SHPO by possessing internet-connected devices without notifying police but denied responsibility for offences relating to the indecent images.

Sentenced

Following a complex investigation and lengthy trial, Smith was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on Monday 8 September 2025.

Detective Sergeant Si Groves, said:

‘Smith is a prolific offender who displays a deep-rooted propensity to continue acting in the same way, with no regard for the law, nor the victims in his offending. ‘He refused to take responsibility for his behaviour throughout the investigation and the trial and at one point was described as ‘being on the cusp of irritating’ by the presiding judge. ‘Upon his release, Smith will continue to be subject to strict conditions.’