PETER CHITICKS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN WESTCLIFF

In a case that has shocked the community of Westcliff, Peter Chitticks, a 51-year-old man residing on Hornby Close, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The abuse, which spanned over six years from 1997 to 2003, began when the victim was only nine years old and continued until she was around 15. The details of the case reveal a disturbing pattern of systematic rape and sexual assault carried out by Chitticks, who exploited the innocence of the young girl over a prolonged period.

It was only last year that the victim, who is legally protected from identification, found the courage to come forward and report the abuse to the authorities. Her bravery in speaking out was instrumental in bringing Chitticks to justice. The case was heard at Basildon Crown Court, where Deputy Circuit Judge Gareth Davies delivered a stern sentence, condemning Chitticks for his actions. The judge described how Chitticks had treated the victim as his personal "sex toy," a comment that underscored the severity of the abuse. The judge also stated that Chitticks would be required to serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Rob Smallcombe, who led the investigation, expressed his relief and support for the victim. He emphasized the lengthy and traumatic nature of the inquiry, noting that the victim not only had to endure the court proceedings but also had to recall and recount the traumatic events from her childhood. Detective Smallcombe stated, "This was a protracted inquiry and one which was very traumatic for the victim. She not only had to hear evidence in court, but had to recall the events from her childhood herself as part of the prosecution case. She shares our delight that Peter Chitticks will be behind bars for a very long time."

Chitticks, who worked as a warehouse worker, faced multiple charges, including seven counts of indecency with a child, four counts of rape, and two counts of indecent assault. Despite denying all allegations throughout the trial, he was found guilty last week on all counts. As part of his sentence, Chitticks will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. Notably, he had no previous criminal convictions prior to this case, making the severity of his crimes even more disturbing for the community of Westcliff.