Cowes businessman Peter Tomlinson admits child sexual abuse charges

Peter Tomlinson, of Baring Road, Cowes, has pleaded guilty to 12 counts at the Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Friday).

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The charges include making 47 category A photos, 148 category B photos and 353 Category C photos.

He has also admitted paying a mother in the Phillipines, over the internet, to commit sexual acts on her children, aged 10 and 12, and paying her for indecent photos of the children.

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He has been remanded in custody until sentencing in March - and has been warned he faces a jail term.

The 63-year-old was remanded in custody at an initial hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on November 18.

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The former president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce was charged as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into child sexual abuse across the world.

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Tomlinson paid to watch live-streams of children being sexually abused abroad, in countries including the Philippines.

Isle of Wight Combined Courts

Today (Friday), Tomlinson has admitted five counts of paying for the sexual services of a girl under 13, two counts of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, two counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an either way offence and three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child.

Recorder Jane Rowley said: "A significant term of imprisonment may be justified."

The matter will now be adjourned for sentencing on March 5.

Defending, Elisabeth Bussey-Jones has asked for pre-sentence reports.

He is required to add his name to the sex offender's register.

A member of the Catholic church, he was the owner and director of Betapak and children's soft play business JR Zone. JR Zone has since changed hands and is under new ownership.

Read the statement from Betapak

He was also chief executive of IW business Education Destination, which arranges bespoke school visits to the Isle of Wight.