PETER BREEDEN FROM DOVER SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR REPEATED RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has spanned decades, Peter Breeden, a resident of Harold Street in Dover, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 17 years after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault. The crimes, which date back to the 1990s, involved a young girl who was subjected to repeated sexual assaults by Breeden during her childhood.

Breeden, now 68 years old, faced his sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court, where the court heard detailed accounts of the abuse. During police interviews, Breeden denied the allegations, claiming that the encounters were consensual and only began when the girl reached the age of 16. Despite his denials, the evidence presented in court proved his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The victim, who courageously came forward in 2011 after years of silence, was praised by law enforcement officials for her bravery in reporting the abuse. Her decision to speak out was instrumental in bringing Breeden to justice, and her resilience was acknowledged by the officers involved in the investigation.

Detective Constable Sam Robertson of the Kent Police Public Protection Unit expressed his support for the sentence, stating, "We welcome the sentence imposed on Breeden. It will not take away the emotional and physical hurt that this woman had to endure as a young girl, but it does bring some closure after she struggled over whether to report the abuse to police."

He further emphasized the commitment of Kent Police to thoroughly investigate historic abuse cases, assuring the public that where sufficient evidence exists, offenders will be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions. This case underscores the importance of victims coming forward and the police’s dedication to pursuing justice, regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes occurred.