In 2019, the Offender Database reported that James Pidgeon, then 53, a pub landlord from Devon, avoided a prison sentence despite possessing over 700,000 “depraved” child sexual abuse images. Pidgeon, of Stoke Gabriel Road, Galmpton, was caught after a police raid on his home near Brixham uncovered a massive collection of illegal material on an Apple Mac tower system.
The investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police revealed that while only a tiny fraction of the files were thoroughly examined to secure a conviction, the material was of the most “serious” nature. Of the 1,139 images analysed, some were in the worst category, depicting the penetrative rape of a child approximately six years old. Judge Timothy Rose described the images at Exeter Crown Court as “shocking, graphic, and depraved.”
Personal Licence and Legal Loopholes
A significant point of controversy in the case reported was that Pidgeon, who is the licensee of the Weary Ploughman at Churston Ferrers, was allowed to retain his personal licence. Under current legislation, this conviction was not among the offences that would automatically revoke his right to run a public house.
Pidgeon was already a convicted paedophile, having served four weeks in prison for a similar indecent images offence in 1998. Despite this “vile” history, he continued to hold a position of some authority within the local community in Brixham.
Sentence and Monitoring
Pidgeon admitted to three counts of making indecent images. For his crimes in Galmpton, James Pidgeon was:
- Sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
- Ordered to attend the Horizon sex offenders’ programme.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
- Subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years.
- Ordered to pay £480 in costs.
The judge emphasised that without consumers like Pidgeon, the demand for this material—and the actual physical abuse required to create it—would not exist.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Pidgeon is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Devon and Cornwall Police. His residency in Galmpton, Devon, and his role as a landlord in Churston Ferrers remain under “serious” scrutiny.
His SHPO enables police explicitly to monitor his internet use for the next decade. Any attempt to access “depraved” material or breach his notification requirements will result in his immediate arrest and the activation of his suspended prison sentence. Devon and Cornwall Police emphasise that they use advanced forensic tools to track the digital footprints of those who download and “make” child abuse material.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.