Rainham sex offender back behind bars

A registered sex offender who used photographs of people known to him and superimposed their faces onto pornographic images has been returned to prison.

Peter Smith, 75, was convicted in 2013 for possessing and making an indecent image of a child, as well as possessing an extreme pornographic image.

As part of his sentence, he was made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibited him from using image or video editing software and from possessing any device capable of storing digital images unless it was made available for examination by police officers.

On several occasions Smith was recalled to prison due to breaching the orders imposed on him.

Following his latest release from prison in July 2026, officers from Kent Police carried out an unannounced visit to his home address in Station Road, Rainham.

During a search of the property, officers found a USB stick concealed beneath a pillow. When a mobile phone and tablet were examined, officers identified several applications capable of editing images. Further analysis uncovered a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.

Officers also established that Smith had been digitally altering photographs by taking the faces of people known to him and superimposing them onto pornographic images.

Arrested

He was arrested and subsequently charged with making indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, creating non consensual intimate images, breaching the SOPO and failing to comply with notification requirements under the sex offenders register.

Smith pleaded guilty to the offences at an early hearing, and at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 11 September 2026, he was jailed for 3 years.

Investigating officer Police Constable Ben Tanner said: ‘Smith's actions showed a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed on him to protect the public and prevent further offending. ‘The discovery of indecent images of children, extreme pornography and non consensual altered images demonstrates the importance of the proactive work carried out by officers who monitor registered sex offenders in Kent. ‘We will continue to take action against anybody who breaches the conditions placed upon them and poses a risk to others.’