Caught making and in possession of indecent images of children.

Former Editor of Independent on Sunday and New Statesman Sentenced for Child Abuse Images

Peter Wilby, 78, has been sentenced for creating and possessing indecent images of children. The National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested Wilby at his Essex home in October. During the investigation, Wilby confessed to having a sexual interest in children and viewing these images since the 1990s, while employed by prominent national publications.

Wilby received a 10-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at Chelmsford Crown Court. Authorities discovered 167 indecent images of children on Wilby's computer, 22 of which were categorized as Category A, the most serious level.

"The material accessed by Wilby and recovered from his computer showed real children being cruelly and sexually abused," said Adam Sprague, operations manager at the NCA. "He was viewing this content while working as the editor of prominent national news outlets, a role in which he was entrusted to form the news agenda for the British public. A trust which he has greatly betrayed."

In addition to the suspended sentence, Wilby was ordered to complete 40 hours of rehabilitation, comply with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and register as a sex offender for five years.

A spokesperson for the New Statesman stated, "The New Statesman staff and management had no knowledge of Wilby's arrest or charges before they were reported and are shocked and appalled to learn of these horrifying crimes. Wilby was New Statesman editor from 1998 to 2005, and remained a contributor."