Press release

Men who photographed child rape have prison term increased

Partners Andrew Bristow and Michael Peters have had their jail terms increased after referral by the Attorney General.

Courts of Justice

Partners Andrew Bristow and Michael Peters have had their jail terms increased after the Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC MP referred their sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.

Both offenders appeared at Bradford Crown Court earlier this year for taking photographs of Bristow raping a child.

Bristow, 47, who was sentenced to 8 and half years in prison, has had his sentence increased to 10 years imprisonment plus one year extended licence period.

Michael Peters, 71, was originally sentenced to 6 years in prison, but the Court of Appeal found him to be a dangerous offender and increased this to 8 years in custody with a 3 year extended licence period.

The couple bribed a girl aged 11 or 12 with cigarettes and paid her money to have sexual activity with Bristow, while Peters took pictures. Bristow also befriended a second child, a 10 year old girl, and engaged in sexual contact with her while she was in his care.

Peters pleaded guilty to having sexual activity with a third child after photographs had been reconstructed from shredded images.

Speaking after the hearing, the Attorney General said:

“These were deliberate and malicious acts – where two men worked together to abuse young children and photograph that abuse.

“The original sentence failed to adequately take into account the seriousness of these offences and the impact the abuse had on the victims. I am pleased the Court has increased their sentences.”

Published 21 July 2017