Truro sex offender jailed for trying to hide internet activity
A registered sex offender who made a determined effort to hide his internet activity from Police has been jailed for 21 months.
Peter Ash, 52, of Kenwyn Hill Caravan Park, Truro, was also found to have an image of a dog being sexual abused on an electronic device.
Ash appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday 13 February after pleading guilty to three breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention order, possession of extreme pornography and a breach of his notification requirements as a sex offender.
As part of the sentence defendant must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.
The court heard how in 2022 Ash was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse images and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as part of his sentence.
In September 2025, Devon & Cornwall Police received intelligence that a user of an online platform had communications discussing child abuse
Ash was identified and arrested at his home in Truro.
Upon arrest it was discovered that Ash had attempted to conceal a mobile device within his home address and therefore committed several breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The breaches were a result of Ash failing to notify Police of a new electronic device, installing encrypted applications and using a virtual private network (VPN) to mask his IP address and attempting to prevent Police from tracing his internet history
An examination of a device found an image of a person carrying out a sex act on a dog, this forming the possession of extreme pornography charge.
Police Constable Dean Martin from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “I welcome the sentence given to Peter Ash at Truro Crown Court.
“The conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order are strictly imposed to manage risk and protect the most vulnerable members of our community in Devon and Cornwall.
“We take any violation of court-ordered conditions extremely seriously and this investigation highlights our commitment to proactive monitoring and our refusal to tolerate any behaviour that undermines public safety or the welfare of those - human or otherwise - who cannot protect themselves.
“Peter Ash made determined efforts to mask his internet history, showing no regard to the order previously given to him to curb his offending and protect others.”
If you have any concerns relating to sexual offending with your community, please report it via 101 or our website, or 999 if in immediate danger.
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