WHITEHAVEN PAEDOPHILE DONALD ‘PETER’ MOODY SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF CUMBRIAN GIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Whitehaven and the wider Cumbria region, Donald ‘Peter’ Moody, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for the abuse of a young girl in 2007. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior that spanned several years, culminating in a conviction that underscores the ongoing battle against child abuse.

Moody, who resides in Hollins Park, Moor Row, near Whitehaven, appeared in Carlisle Crown Court via a video link from Durham Prison. His appearance was necessitated by health issues; he is wheelchair-bound and suffers from angina, which made travel impossible. Despite his physical limitations, evidence presented during the trial painted a picture of a man who, according to neighbors, was often seen walking and working outside his home, contradicting his claims of incapacitation.

The charges against Moody stemmed from a series of sexual assaults committed over a nine-month period in 2007. The jury found him guilty of five separate counts of sexual assault on a young girl, with the incidents occurring in a room he used as an office at his residence. The court heard that Moody would isolate the girl by shutting the door and pulling down the blinds before touching her under her clothes, telling her she was “special.”

The victim testified that these assaults happened initially once a week, but the frequency increased over time, eventually occurring more often and lasting nearly a year. She expressed her awareness that what Moody was doing was wrong, but at the time, she did not fully understand the severity of his actions.

Judge Barbara Forrester, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of Moody’s offenses and the danger he posed to children. She sentenced him to a minimum of 27 months in prison, with the stipulation that he must serve this time before being considered for parole. Even after release, Moody will remain under strict supervision, required to register as a sex offender indefinitely and barred from having unsupervised contact with minors. His sentence includes a lifetime license, meaning he can be recalled to prison if he commits any further offenses.

Moody’s criminal history includes a suspended sentence from 1994 for molesting a girl, which adds a troubling context to his latest conviction. His health was a factor in the sentencing decision; Judge Forrester acknowledged that his ill health might make incarceration more difficult for him than for others. However, she also expressed skepticism about the extent of his incapacitation, citing reports from neighbors who had seen him active and working despite his claims of being confined to a wheelchair.

The investigation was led by Detective Constable Andrea Davidson of the West Cumbria Public Protection Unit. Following Moody’s sentencing, she described him as a “despicable man” who had stolen the innocence of a young girl. She expressed hope that the victim and her family could begin to rebuild their lives now that justice has been served.

DC Davidson also issued a stern warning to others who might consider engaging in similar criminal activities, emphasizing that such actions are intolerable and will be met with swift legal action. She reaffirmed the commitment of law enforcement agencies in West Cumbria to protect children, investigate allegations thoroughly, and ensure offenders are brought to justice, providing support to victims and their families throughout the process.