October 2016 Evil rapist ‘may have victims across the Midlands’ An evil rapist jailed for a string of sex attacks on a teenager may have struck across the Midlands. John Peart terrorised the victim with a catalogue of assaults which began when she was just 14. He was jailed for 19 years after being convicted of seven counts of rape and indecent assault. Now detectives are investigating whether Peart – who moved across the region – had other victims who had not yet been traced. Investigating officer, Det Con Neil Powell, said: “Peart has lived in Derby, Loughborough, Staffordshire and Birmingham. “I cannot rule out the possibility that he has offended against other people. “If anyone has suffered at Peart’s hands, I’d urge them to contact me so we can investigate.” Peart, 54, attacked the female – now 28 – at addresses in Derby, Loughborough and Handsworth between 2002 and 2007. He first struck after forcing the girl into the downstairs toilet of a property in Loughborough, but the attacks continued for years. The victim did not reveal details of her ordeal until 2013 when she confided in a nursery support worker. West Midlands Police took up the case and arrested Peart in January 2014. He denied the allegations but detectives from the force’s Public Protection Unit worked with the woman to build a detailed account of the offences. Peart was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on September 28.