Derry man Peter Anthony McGowan pleads guilty at Coleraine Crown Court to 10 sex-related offences
Peter Anthony McGowan, of Meadowbank Court, pleaded guilty at Coleraine Crown Court, to a total of ten charges including, sexual communication with a child, and possessing indecent and prohibited images of children.
Detective Inspector Richard Vasey from the PSNI’s Child Internet Protection Team said: “McGowan’s online behaviour triggered intelligence systems providing a referral to police, which led to us conducting a search of his property.
“The search resulted in a number of electronic devices being seized for forensic examination, McGowan being arrested and later charged for child abuse offences.
“Our message is clear, if a person is downloading, viewing or making indecent images of children, you are leaving a digital footprint and we are actively looking for you.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to keep children safe.
“We have specialist officers within the Child Internet Protection Team who are dedicated to investigating these crimes, bringing those responsible before the courts and ultimately protecting further vulnerable young people from unimaginable suffering.
“We will continue proactively targeting those people in our community who contribute to this cycle of abuse.
“I would encourage anyone with concerns or information to get in contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
“We will act on the information we receive,” added DI Vasey.