Pete Townshend

Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Ealing, London) is an influential rock guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with The Who.

Child pornography controversy

In early January 2003, Townshend admitted publicly to using his credit card to obtain access to a commercial child pornography website. He claimed that he visited the site while researching child abuse and child pornography on the Internet. Townshend made the admission after his credit card transaction was discovered as part of "Operation Ore," a large anti-child pornography operation, and the story was leaked to the British media. Townshend also expressed his willingness to cooperate with a police investigation. London police searched his home and confiscated his computers. Police returned the computers several months later and did not contradict Townshend's claim that the computers contained 15,000 of his songs but no child porn. In May 2003, he was cautioned by the police (acceptance of which is technically an admission of guilt), who decided not to press charges after finding no evidence that he was in possession of child pornography. Townshend was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years, requiring him to register with the police every year and if he moves. Failure to do so would carry a five-year jail sentence.

Related Topics:
2003 - Credit card - Child pornography - Child abuse - Internet - Operation Ore - Sex Offenders Register

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Soon after Townshend claimed he was researching the subject of child abuse and, immediately after encountering the web site, had contacted both an anti-abuse group and his attorney. His research claims were bolstered by a document he wrote and posted on his official website in January, 2002.

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In "A Different Bomb," Townshend warns that portions of the Internet represent a terrible danger because they provide deviant material to deviant people. In March, 2004, Townshend was featured on a BBC television documentary in which he described his experiences as a result of the child pornography charges. He apologized for the incident and stated that he was so upset by the accusations made against him that he considered suicide.

Related Topics:
2004 - BBC

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