Gorleston sex offender arrested during child abduction probe

Peter Bell, 34, was charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order after police discovered an undisclosed mobile phone during a search. 

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told officers had visited his home address at Marine Parade in Gorleston following reports linking him to the possible abduction of two young girls who had been reported missing from care. 

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said a mobile phone seized during the search had been found to have had items deleted to disguise the history. 

He had admitted using the phone to chat to girls, she added. 

The court was told Bell had been made subject of a sexual harm prevention order in November 2022 after committing offences while on bail. 

He had previously been jailed for 20 months in 2020, the court was told. 

Bell was remanded in custody pending an appearance Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Bell pleaded guilty to failing to disclose a passcode to the mobile phone when required to do so by the order and not retaining the search history. 

He denied a second charge of breaching the order by failing to notify a public protection officer that he had bought a new phone within three days.

Calvin Sacker, mitigating, said he would argue a shop till receipt would prove the three-day period had not expired when he was arrested on April 27.

District Judge Evans said the sentencing starting point of two years imprisonment meant it had to be committed to be heard at Norwich Crown Court with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 28. 

The court was told allegations of the possible abduction remain under investigation. 

Bell was remanded in custody after the district judge told him there were “no bail conditions that can be imposed that will adequately protect the public.”