NICK PETERS FROM REDHILL SENTENCED FOR YEARS OF ABUSE IN CHURCHES

In a case that has shocked the local community, Nick Peters, a man from Redhill, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of disturbing crimes committed against a young boy over a span of several years. The offences took place within the confines of a church in Oswestry, where Peters was known to be a regular attendee and had previously volunteered at the local library.

The crimes involved repeated sexual abuse of a boy who was part of the church choir. The abuse occurred almost weekly between 1986 and 1990, with Peters targeting the victim both during church services and choir practices, as well as during day trips to a sister church in Bridlington. The victim, who was between the ages of 10 and 13 at the time, endured this trauma for years before finally revealing the abuse to his parents at the age of 17. Unfortunately, his parents did not believe him at the time, which added to his suffering.

It was only in August 2016 that the victim, now an adult, reported the abuse to the police after a chance encounter with Peters on a bus. During police interviews, Peters initially denied any wrongdoing. However, in February of the following year, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Later, in June, he changed his plea to guilty, admitting to five counts of indecent assault.

The court proceedings revealed the profound impact the abuse had on the victim’s mental health. Prosecutor Nigel Stelling highlighted that the victim suffered from bipolar disorder and that the long-term effects of the abuse contributed significantly to his mental health struggles. The court was informed that the victim, who tragically took his own life earlier this year at the age of 41, had been deeply affected by the crimes committed against him. A statement from the victim, read out shortly before his death, expressed his feelings of anger towards the world and frustration with his parents for not believing him. He also described how the accusations against Peters shook his trust and caused him ongoing emotional turmoil.

Representing Peters, lawyer Adrian Roberts, emphasized that he had been a helpful and generous member of the church community, attempting to portray him in a positive light despite the serious allegations.

Judge Anthony Lowe summarized the case and handed down a sentence of two years and nine months in prison for the earliest offences, with an identical concurrent sentence for the other four counts. The sentencing reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and the lasting damage inflicted on the victim, whose life was tragically cut short. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Oswestry and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals within religious and community settings.