PETER BARKER (DAMIEN SINCLAIR) JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN EXETER

In April 2000, Peter Barker, also known as Damien Sinclair, was sentenced to ten years in prison for sexual offences involving boys. Barker, aged 34 and from Sale, Manchester, appeared at Exeter Crown Court, where he admitted to two serious sexual offences and gross indecency related to a 16-year-old boy, as well as three counts of indecent assault on a 12-year-old. Additionally, he was committed for sentencing on an act of gross indecency with the 12-year-old and asked for three offences of indecent assault on a ten-year-old to be considered.

Mr. Justice Toulson told Barker during sentencing, "I do not think it is possible to form any view of when you will cease to be a danger to young men," and imposed the maximum ten-year license period upon his release. He also instructed Barker to register as a sex offender once he leaves prison.

Barker, using the alias Sinclair, had provided evidence during a two-week trial at Exeter Crown Court against his former flatmate and partner, Darren Colling, aged 30, who was accused of the claw-hammer murder of 16-year-old Exeter schoolboy George Mortimer in January of the previous year. Barker stated to the jury that Colling fantasized about kidnapping a boy, sexually assaulting him, and then killing him.

The two men had started a homosexual relationship while in jail and had continued living together after their release. The trial judge noted that the pair would take young men on camping trips, where they used alcohol and drugs.

Last week, Darren Colling was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of George Mortimer.