Man jailed for indecent images and indecent exposure offences.

A man was jailed last week following an investigation by Cleveland Police’s POLIT (Paedophile Online Investigation Team).

Suffolk man Gareth Pettit was arrested last summer after the force was notified by the National Crime Agency that the 24-year-old, who was living in East Cleveland at the time, had made indecent still and moving images of children.

Enquiries began with specialist colleagues from Cleveland Police’s Digital Forensic Unit examining Pettit’s devices.

The investigation subsequently produced further evidence regarding an incident of indecent exposure which, with the victim’s ongoing and full support, enabled POLIT to seek a charging decision regarding this offence as well as the indecent images.

Despite being charged this June, Pettit continually denied the offences however on the first day of a trial at Teesside Crown Court he changed his plea to guilty.

He was given a sentence of 26 months, will also be on the sex offenders’ register, and will be subject of a SHPO (sexual harm prevention order) with strictly monitored conditions on his release.

Officer in the case POLIT Detective Constable Lewis Hill said: “Firstly I must pay tribute to the victim in the indecent exposure case.

“Her courage in reporting and her support during our enquiries means we were able to secure the evidence we needed for a charge, and then for Pettit to finally admit to what he had done by changing his plea to guilty.  I hope she is satisfied by the outcome at court.

“Those who seek gratification from indecent images must be identified and dealt with and I am pleased that Pettit received a custodial sentence with further implications on his freedom once he’s released.”