JOHN PETERS SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ABUSE IN ABERYSTWYTH AND NAILSWORTH

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community, John Peters, a 79-year-old man from Penparcan Road, Aberystwyth, was sentenced to a total of 20 years behind bars for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl during the late 1960s and into the 1970s. The crimes took place while Peters was residing in Nailsworth, but the impact of his actions has resonated deeply within the Aberystwyth area and beyond.

Today, the court heard the devastating account of the victim, who bravely testified about the long-lasting scars inflicted by Peters’ abuse. She described her childhood as a period marked by fear, shame, and profound loneliness, robbed of innocence by Peters’ repeated assaults. Her emotional testimony painted a picture of a girl overwhelmed by feelings of disgust and helplessness, unable to call her abuser by his name, simply referring to him as 'the nasty man.'

She recounted how the abuse, which spanned nearly a decade, left her with deep psychological wounds. The victim explained that the trauma has haunted her throughout her life, manifesting in nightmares, depression, and a persistent sense of being 'broken and damaged.' She shared that her trust in others has been severely compromised, and she experiences heightened anxiety, especially when approached from behind or when hearing footsteps, memories of her abuse flooding back.

The woman also revealed her ongoing struggles with mental health issues, including depression and anorexia, which she has battled for many years. She expressed her gratitude to the jury for believing her, acknowledging the courage it took to come forward and testify against her abuser.

John Peters, who lived on Penparcan Road in Aberystwyth, faced multiple charges related to his abuse. He was accused of six counts of rape and six counts of indecent assault, with the prosecution revealing that these charges represented at least 21 separate incidents of rape and an equal number of indecent assaults. Peters vehemently denied all allegations, claiming that the accusations were false and insisting he had never engaged in any sexual contact with the girl.

It was only in 2014 that the victim decided to report the abuse to the police, leading to the charges being brought against Peters. During the trial, the court heard that the abuse included Peters giving the girl Chinese Burns as a form of punishment when she disobeyed him, adding to the cruelty of his actions.

Legal representatives for Peters argued that he would suffer in prison due to his health issues, including arthritis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, Judge Jamie Tabor QC was unpersuaded by these claims, noting that Peters showed no remorse even after being convicted.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Tabor emphasized the profound impact of the abuse on the victim’s life. He described her emotional testimony as a clear illustration of the damage caused by an adult’s sexual misconduct towards a child. The judge condemned Peters’ actions as selfish and unforgivable, stating that his repeated abuse was simply wicked.

Peters was sentenced to 20 years for the rape of the girl when she was just 10 years old. Additionally, he received concurrent shorter sentences for the other 11 offenses he was convicted of. The court also imposed a one-year extended license period, meaning Peters could be recalled to prison at any time within the next 21 years if he is released on parole. Judge Tabor clarified that Peters would be required to serve at least 10 years before being eligible for parole, with the final decision resting with the Parole Board.