Jail for man who possessed some of the worst child sexual abuse material our officer has seen

A man who possessed some of the worst child sexual abuse material our officer has seen has been jailed for 40 months.

Cleveland Police received a report in June 2025 that 45-year-old Peter Minza had discussed child sexual abuse online and distributed indecent images.

Our specialist Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) attended Minza’s home address where he was arrested and taken into police custody for questioning.

Numerous electronic devices were seized from his address however Minza refused to cooperate with the police investigation and would not provide the PIN or passwords for his devices.

Despite this, our Digital Forensics Unit were able to download Minza’s iPhone where officers recovered 3,579 indecent images of children.

Of these, 1,657 were category A images – the worst category, 1,291 were category B images and 631 were category C images. He was also found to be in possession of nine extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality.

Evidence located on his device showed that Minza distributed 91 indecent images of children; 69 category A images, 18 category B images and four category C images. He was also found in possession of an electronic paedophile manual.

As the investigation progressed, Minza was found to have sexually engaged with two people he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and 15-year-old girl. He also discussed with other adults how to distribute indecent images without getting caught.

Minza was charged with 13 offences including two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, three counts of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image and one count of possessing a paedophile manual.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on 27 April 2026 where he pleaded guilty to all offences. Minza appeared at the same court on Friday 26 June where he was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Minza will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years and will be placed on the Sex Offender’s Register.

Detective Constable Chris Dawkins said: “I am pleased with the sentence given to Minza. The child sexual abuse material discovered on Minza’s devices is categorically the worst I have ever seen.

“Minza will now have time to reflect on the extent of his offending and will be strictly monitored under his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) when he is allowed to re-integrate into the community.

“Behind every indecent image is a child who has suffered horrific sexual and psychological abuse. Our message to offenders committing these crimes remains clear; we will do everything possible to bring you to justice.”