A prominent Isle of Wight businessman has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on child sexual abuse charges.

Peter Tomlinson, of Baring Road, Cowes, entered no plea on 12 counts at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday).

The case has been adjourned to December 14, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.
Mr Tomlinson, 63, was charged as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into child sexual abuse across the world.

He is charged with five counts of paying for the sexual services of a girl under 13, two counts of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, two counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an either way offence and three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child.

The offences relate to paying to watch extreme child sexual abuse, live streamed from abroad, including the Philippines.

Mr Tomlinson is former president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and former owner of Betapak and children's play area JR Zone. The business has since changed hands and is under new ownership.

He was also chief executive of IW business Education Destination, which arranges bespoke school visits to the Isle of Wight.