Peter Whitehouse, a former Police Constable, was jailed for three years by the Royal Court on Friday for possessing hundreds of indecent images of children – Krysta Eaves reports
HE was a highly regarded community police officer who received commendations for good service during his three-decade career and was well-respected for his work with Jersey’s youths.
But former PC Peter Whitehouse – who also worked for a charity which deters youngsters from turning to crime – harboured a vile secret which sent shockwaves throughout the Island’s community when it was revealed earlier this year.
The 57-year-old’s deceptive façade came crashing down in April when the States police received intelligence which led to their raiding his St John home.
In doing so, they uncovered his predilection for indecent images and movies of children –with a significant proportion falling into the second-most serious category.
He was arrested a short time later on 8 April at Jersey Airport when he returned on a flight from the UK.
Following their investigation, officers found that although Whitehouse had downloaded hundreds of indecent images, there was no evidence that he had committed offences against Jersey children.
Today, the charity Prison! Me! No Way!!!, for which Whitehouse used to work, described his crimes as ‘a betrayal of trust’, adding that his case shows that no one is above the law.
But who was Whitehouse? And how did he manage to gain the Island’s trust and respect?
Initially dreaming of becoming a Royal Marine but failing at the first interview,he joined the States of Jersey police in 1978 at the age of 19.
A year later, while still an officer, he became involved in Operation Drake, which was set up by Prince Charles and Old Victorian Colonel John Blashford-Snell to provide trips for young people to remote areas of the world.
During Operation Raleigh – a follow-on from Operation Drake – Whitehouse was involved in the selection process of youngsters who wanted to go on the trips.
During his career, the former Hautlieu student worked at the St Brelade police sub-station as well as in the traffic section.
Later he became community officer for the east of the Island, and would regularly meet parishioners as well as politicians, youth workers and head teachers.
His role also saw him regularly attend Gorey Youth Club, popping in on busy evenings to make sure everything was running smoothly.
One professional who came into contact with Whitehouse during his career as a community officer has spoken of shock on hearing of the charges against the former officer.
The person, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: ‘If he was employed by the States of Jersey police you would consider him to be, on the surface, a quite measured, prudent, sensible person.
‘That was the outward impression he gave.
‘The reason why it was so shocking was that this was a complete façade.
‘The fact that he had gone about gaining the trust of people as a community police officer, and worse, gaining the trust of the members of the youth club, is what makes it so shocking.
‘He was deceiving everyone, because underneath he was a repulsive, disgusting individual.’
Whitehouse, who received two Chief Officer Commendations in 1988 and 1990 – one for good work and one for observations which led to the early detection of offences – as well as the Long-Service Medal, which is awarded to officers for 20 years’ service, retired in 2009.
On his retirement Whitehouse, who is married with grown-up children, told the JEP: ‘I’m glad I joined the police force and think I have made a difference to some lives, mainly young people who I have dealt with.’
Following his retirement, he was employed as a co-ordinator for Prison! Me! No Way!!!, a charity he had come into contact with as an officer, and he worked for the organisation until his arrest.
The charity programme involves a number of agencies working together to show students the importance of making the right decisions in life.
Those who work for the charity have to undergo a strict vetting process.
The vetting process by the charity found no reason not to appoint Whitehouse.
Speaking to the JEP in 2011, Whitehouse said: ‘It costs a significant amount of taxpayers’ money to maintain someone inside Jersey’s prison.
‘We hope that our workshops will help youngsters to think differently about a life of crime.
‘Prison is not only expensive to fund, it can be a lonely, frightening and isolating experience, with harsh rules to follow.
‘We hope that the students who complete our workshops think about the choices they have.’
Today, Lesley Harrison from Prison! Me! No Way!!! said that after the charges against Whitehouse came to light, it had been ‘extremely difficult and challenging’ for the organisation, but that they were determined not to let the actions of on individual detract from the important work they undertake.
She added: ‘This particular case is one that re-enforces the message that no one is above the law.
‘Any one of us can make a bad choice, but ultimately we have to face the consequences for doing so.
‘People in positions of trust can always, if they choose to do so, betray and abuse that trust, which is devastating for all concerned.
‘This highlights just how important it is for us to continue with the work we all undertake to raise awareness, and to educate young people to keep them safe and to bring offenders to task.’
POLICE INVESTIGATION
IT was ‘a massive shock’ for Peter Whitehouse when he was arrested by officers at Jersey Airport minutes after stepping off a plane, says the officer who led up the investigation.
But Acting Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hafey said that once in custody, the former Police Constable quickly made admissions and even helped officers with their investigation.
The States police immediately launched Operation Stamp on receiving intelligence of Whitehouse’s crimes, with six officers being involved in the investigation.
Acting Det Chief Insp Hafey said: ‘We treated it as we would any other intelligence.
‘If there is information that a crime has been committed or that someone is in possession of something they should not be, we will act.
‘The intelligence surrounding this investigation was treated sensitively and only those officers involved in the investigation would have been made aware of the intelligence and proposed police action.
‘Peter Whitehouse would have had friends and ex-colleagues within the police station which made it appropriate for us to adopt a need-to-know approach.’
Whitehouse was arrested at the Airport at 9.40 pm on 8 April.
He was taken to the police station and has been in custody ever since.
Officers had already raided his property, seizing computers and other devices capable of storing information.
Later analysis revealed that he had downloaded 1,557 images and movies, 570 of which were ranked as category four and 30 at category five – the highest end of the scale used by officers to categorise indecent images.
Acting Det Chief Insp Hafey said: ‘There was quite a lot which had been downloaded over quite some time.
‘I’m sure it was a massive shock for him to be arrested.
‘He made admissions straight away.
‘He was helping the investigation.’
The officer added that possessing indecent images was far from a victimless crime and that offences were continuing to increase due to the rise of the internet.
‘The States of Jersey police will pursue and deal robustly, without fear or favour, with those who sexually exploit or abuse children, whether this be through indecent images of children or by contact,’ he added.
‘As long as offenders like Peter Whitehouse are prepared to download indecent images of children, a market exists for the perpetuation of all that misery.
‘We hope that the Whitehouse case sends a strong message out to such offenders – that downloading indecent images of children encourages this vile child abuse and that the internet is not a safe, anonymous space.
‘Offenders leave a digital footprint which we will find and will use in order to bring those offenders to justice.’
