PETER CUNLIFFE'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN BURNLEY: TEENAGE SEX ATTACKER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

In a case that has shocked the community of Burnley, Peter James Cunliffe, aged 19, was handed a substantial prison sentence of 15 years after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls in the area. Cunliffe, who has no fixed address, carried out these disturbing acts over a span of just two weeks in April, targeting four victims, the youngest of whom was only 12 years old.

Authorities launched a comprehensive investigation in April following a particularly alarming incident where a 14-year-old girl was forcibly grabbed from behind and dragged into the grounds of Habergham Sixth Form Centre, located on Kiddrow Lane. This assault marked the beginning of a series of disturbing crimes that would unfold in quick succession.

At Preston Crown Court, Cunliffe pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual assault, attempted abduction, and attempted rape. The court heard that his criminal activities extended beyond the initial incident, with further offenses committed shortly thereafter. Judge Jonathan Foster QC sentenced Cunliffe to serve a minimum of seven and a half years before he becomes eligible for parole. Additionally, Cunliffe was disqualified from working with children for life, and a sexual offences protection order was issued to prevent any future contact with minors.

During the sentencing, Judge Foster emphasized the gravity of Cunliffe’s actions, stating, “My function in sentencing you is to consider the seriousness of the offences and the protection of the public.”

Prosecutor Miss Louise Whaites provided details of Cunliffe’s subsequent criminal behavior. She revealed that Cunliffe had escaped from a bail hostel in Carlisle on April 8th. Just two days later, he entered a residence in Burnley, where he made offensive remarks to the female occupant and exposed himself. The woman managed to manhandle him out of her home, but the incident marked a disturbing escalation in his pattern of predatory behavior.

The following day, Cunliffe targeted a 21-year-old woman who had just disembarked from a bus on Harold Avenue. He approached her from behind and indecently assaulted her, also circling her in a manner that left her feeling intimidated and threatened.

The next victims were a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl. Cunliffe first grabbed the younger girl on a wooded path, and the very next day, he followed the older girl near Habergham Sixth Form Centre. The 14-year-old girl attempted to escape by taking a shortcut through the school grounds but was caught by Cunliffe, who reportedly said, “We’ll get this over and done with.”

Miss Whaites recounted that Cunliffe then punched the girl in the nose and sexually assaulted her, further illustrating the brutality of his crimes.

Defense lawyer Mr. Timothy Ashmole acknowledged Cunliffe’s guilty plea, emphasizing that this had spared his victims the ordeal of testifying and reliving their traumatic experiences. He described Cunliffe’s actions as impulsive and inexplicable, stating, “The offences are inexplicable. Cunliffe had acted impulsively and inappropriately and he accepted responsibility for his actions.”

Overall, the case has left a lasting impact on the Burnley community, highlighting the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community safety measures to prevent such disturbing incidents from recurring in the future.