Pete Townshend arrested in child porn probe

Associated Press ^ | January 13, 2003 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Pete Townshend arrested in child porn probe

01/13/2003

Associated Press

LONDON - Rock star Pete Townshend of The Who has been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children, police said Monday.

Scotland Yard announced that a 57-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of making and possessing indecent images of children and of incitement to distribute indecent images of children.

Police, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the suspect was Townshend. He has not been charged with a crime, which would come later under the British legal system.

Townshend, 57, said Saturday he had used an Internet Web site advertising child pornography.

He made the admission after a newspaper reported detectives were investigating an unidentified British rock star for downloading child pornography.

Police said they arrested Townshend under the Protection of Children Act after executing two searches at a business and a home in Richmond, Surrey, the town outside London where he lives. They said they took computers from the home and were examining them.

Townshend was being held at a southwest London police station, Scotland Yard said.

---

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/011303dninttownshend.1c57edce.html

[MeekOneGOP]

Mr Townshend has admitted paying to enter a website advertising child porn.

[byteback]

That deaf dumb and blind kid
sure played a mean pinball.

[ghost of nixon]

The Who - one of the greatest rock bands ever? Sad to see Mr. Townshend end up like this.

[HELLRAISER II]

WHO?

[Quilla]

Townshend, 57, said Saturday he had used an Internet Web site advertising child pornography.

I'm a tad confused. How does one use an internet web site?

[Bonaparte]

Well, first you pay them. Then you access and download the illegal images they have just sold to you. It's not too complicated.

The really startling news in today's article posted above, is not that Townshend was arrested. Everybody knew that was imminent after the police leaked their information. The surprise is that the guy who has claimed he was only doing "research" has actually made child porn. But as I've said before, being a privileged character, he is very unlikely to do any time for this.

[Huck]

The surprise is that the guy who has claimed he was only doing "research" has actually made child porn.

I noticed that too. I wonder though if that means taking pictures, or if copying an existing file is considered "making." Anyway, I realize the chance that Pete is innocent is slim to none. I have to admit it's disappointing. I liked his music quite a bit growing up.

[cmsgop]

Shep just said the charge carries 7-10 years.

[Delbert]

Yeah...research...thats it...thats the ticket....Research. Too bad Pete....bet you "Wont Get Fooled Again!"

[luckymom]

I think that was the late Keith Moon.

[Huck]

Yeah...research...thats it...thats the ticket....Research. Too bad Pete....bet you "Wont Get Fooled Again!"

Yeah... I know. When the story first leaked, I was hoping it was Rod Stewart.

[Bonaparte]

It carries 7-10 years for ordinary people, like you and me. For celebrities like Townshend, it only results in "counseling," "community service" and perhaps the sacrifice of some money contributed to child protection efforts.

[Bonaparte]

"I have to admit it's disappointing."

Yeah, I know. Once again, we see the huge disparity between a celebrity's public image and private conduct.

[Sally II]

Isn't Pete gay or something? If he is and he has a taste for little boy porn, I'd wonder about his childhood.

[Delbert]

I'm your wicked Uncle Ernie;
I'm glad you won't see or hear me,
As I fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about.
Your mother left me here to mind you,
And I'm doing exactly what I bleedin' well want to,
Fiddling about, fiddling about, fiddle about.
Down with your bedclothes,
Up with your nightshirt.
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about.
You won't "shite"
As I fiddle "abite."
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about.

[Bonaparte]

Already, the glitterati are circling the wagons.

"Pete Is No Pervert," Says Jerry Hall

[I_Love_My_Husband]

He is SO BUSTED!

Throw away the key. These perverts make me sick!

[Bonaparte]

Choice quotes from Mirror article linked in post 17 --

Roger Daltrey (Who singer): "It made him angry that people were making money at it [child porn]."

Then why did Townshend pay them, Roger?

Jerry Hall (bimbo model): "He's the least likely profile of a child abuser it's possible to construct. That's because he isn't one."

And you are the least likely profile of a logician, Jerry.

Paul Townshend (the brother): "We have proof which will completely exonerate him. It will come out in the next couple of days."

Can't wait!

[Houmatt]

There goes his career.

What a waste.

But at least the good times are behind him anyway.