From pillar of the community to social pariah — just who is Peter Tomlinson?

Once the president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and owner of many high-profile and successful Island businesses, Tomlinson's fall from grace came after he was exposed as a paedophile — on social media and in an anonymous email sent out to many of his contacts and the media from a self-styled 'whistleblower' in October 2019.

  • Helpline: Child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation runs Stop It Now!
  • Call 0808 1000 900
  • Confidential advice to anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s behaviour towards children

While it couldn't be reported at the time, before court proceedings began, the rumours were enough to make Tomlinson a 'social pariah' — words used by his defence solicitor James Cameron at the first court appearance at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court in November.

The court heard Tomlinson had made an attempt on his own life and an ambulance attended his home address, where he was resuscitated.

It was at this court appearance, Mr Cameron confirmed that although Tomlinson had been shunned by society in light of the offences, he still had the support of his wife, Catherine.

The National Crime Agency had investigated the case for more than a year before this initial court date, and 12 offences were subsequently brought to the court.

He has today pleaded guilty to 12 counts relating to child sex abuse, including paying a mother to commit sexual acts on her children for his pleasure, and making indecent images of them.

Around the time of the anonymous email, Tomlinson resigned several prestigious positions at Island businesses he was involved with.

Tomlinson was the owner and managing director of Betapak, having taken on the director role in January 2007. He resigned as director and secretary on October 7, 2019. His wife remained as a Betapak director until December 8, 2020.

He also ran Education Destination, a company that brings schoolchildren to the Isle of Wight for residential holidays.

It had Tomlinson's home address in Baring Road, Cowes, as its correspondence address on Companies House.

He was appointed director in May 2014 and resigned on October 7, 2019. Again, Tomlinson's wife, Catherine took, over as a 'person with significant control' of the business, and the correspondence address is now showing as at Pritchett's Way, Rookley, where Betapak is based, but resigned on December 8.

Avalon House Ltd, a property business which was formerly based at Tomlinson's home address, has now also been moved to the Rookley address.

Tomlinson resigned as director and secretary of the firm on October 7, 2019. Mrs Tomlinson remains an active director of the business.

Rookley Properties Ltd, a lettings property business, likewise had its registered address changed from Baring Road to C/O Betapak in Rookley, on October 7, 2019.

Tomlinson stood down as a 'person with significant control' that same day, and the next month his appointments as director and secretary were terminated.

Directors of the firm were, up to December 8, Jon Carter, also a Betapak and Education Destination director, and Mrs Tomlinson, along with Christopher and Janet Warmoth. Mrs Tomlinson resigned on December 8.

Jon Carter, managing director of Betapak, issued the following statement today: "As soon as we were made aware of, and since the arrest and allegations, we worked with authorities to assist their investigations as necessary, along with conducting our own inhouse investigation and review.

"From the information we have been in receipt of and from our own findings, all appropriate measures and actions have been taken, ensuring safeguarding and safety were at the forefront of all decisions.

"To the best of my knowledge, none of the day to day business activities are directly implicated.

"The individual was removed from directorships within the companies, meaning a change of personal ownership within businesses.

"No comments were made at the time to enable investigations to continue, without speculation or hindrance to the legal process."

Tomlinson also formerly owned children's play area JR Zone, in Newport.

At the early stages of the investigation, a statement was put out on behalf of the new owners of the business, who wished to distance themselves from Tomlinson.

It stated he was "a former owner and director and has NO association, involvement, shares or ownership with Vectis Trading Ltd /JR Zone."

Tomlinson was also known on the Island as a member of the Catholic church, and attended St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Cowes.