Maurice Peacock, 78, of Parslow Road, Epping, was found guilty by a jury, after a three day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. The eight men and four women jurors found Peacock, a married father of two, guilty of attempting to meet a boy under 16 following grooming and two charges of attempting to cause a child to watch an image of sexual activity.
Sentencing was adjourned until December for pre-sentencing reports. But Peacock, who was granted bail, was warned that “all options are open” and he could be jailed.
It was alleged that Peacock, who denied the three charges, tried to meet a boy, said to be 15, to engage in sexual activity at his home address.
On May 15 last year, Peacock sent a message from his profile Daddy-For-Teen to the decoy and when he was told the decoy was 15 he replied “Nice.”
Mr Cammegh the barrister for Peacock tried his upmost to prove Peacocks innocence and used everything in his power to do so. But the jury could see the tactics he was using and saw through the continued lies.
Then it’s been alleged that the freelance court reporter also had her input in the case. This reporter has nothing to do with the team from “Reach PLC” (Essex Live).
Peacock was said to have introduced himself to the decoy as Maurice initially but later gave his full name, and in their chat over two days asked if the decoy wanted some fun, asked about what he would like to do, and sent the decoy indecent images and video of a male’s private parts and sexual acts. These images included a picture of Peacock’s Penis, a man in a pool, and a video of two males having sexual intercourse. “The chat was graphic and very, very clear,” said the prosecutor.
They arranged to meet at the Oak Retail Park in Harlow. The investigator had already alerted police when Peacock arranged to meet. Peacock was arrested as he sat in his grey Mercedes outside McDonalds, the court heard.
Peacock, who said he had a hot tub they could use if the decoy wanted, but he said it was “a no clothes tub” Peacock asked the decoy to delete their messages, the jury heard Peacock went on to say “I have to trust you not to tell anyone what we get up to.”
Peacock told police when arrested: “I have arranged to meet a lad at McDonald’s because I am gay/bisexual.”
Peacock told the jury he still worked in a shop on his farm and, though “bisexual” had been in a strong marriage for 45 years.
He revealed that he had had “tendencies” but not acted upon them until about ten years ago. He registered on Grindr two to three years ago and his wife had been aware of his activities for some time.
Peacock who run Tye Green Bowls club with his wife, resigned last year as a director. He also owns and operates his farm on Parslow Road, Harlow, where he also has a gas shop selling things like BBQ gas bottles.
Peacock was the first to be arrested that day in the same car park; the next person was Allan Stimson who also worked at the same bowls club that Peacock was director of. Stimson has already been to court and pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing after a trial for indecent images that he plead not guilty to.
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