PETER DUFFY FROM BOLTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BOLTON COURT
In August 2019, a courageous survivor of child abuse publicly shared her painful journey, emphasizing her resilience and determination not to let her trauma define her life.Her heartfelt statement was read aloud in Bolton Crown Court, where Peter Duffy, a 45-year-old man from Thornbank West, Bolton, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to a series of heinous sexual offences committed against her over several years.
The victim, whose identity remains protected, recounted her struggles with the aftermath of the abuse.
She explained that she had kept her suffering hidden for a long time, but eventually reached a breaking point.
“After a long time of holding all the pain in I could not keep it any more,” she said.
She revealed that she had resorted to self-harm and smoking at a very young age as coping mechanisms, trying to distract herself from the trauma inflicted upon her.
She expressed her hope for healing, stating, “I don’t want this abuse to define me but it will always be part of me.
I want to move on from this and be able to heal so that I can enjoy life again.” Her words underscored her strength and desire to rebuild her life despite the scars left by her abuser.
Prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh detailed the disturbing nature of Duffy’s crimes.
He explained that Duffy, who was 45 at the time of sentencing, began his abuse by turning innocent games into acts of sexual touching and simulating sexual acts with the young girl.
The court was also told that Duffy took explicit photographs of her, capturing her cleavage and backside, and forced her to perform sexual acts on him, including masturbation and other sexual acts, on at least two separate occasions.
The case came to light when the victim attended a party, consumed a significant amount of alcohol, and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
During her time in the ambulance, she made comments to paramedics indicating that she had been touched inappropriately.
The paramedics reported her statements to their superiors, prompting police involvement.
When questioned, Duffy denied any wrongdoing, despite having no previous criminal convictions.
Judge Graeme Smith, presiding over the case, commended the victim’s bravery and resilience.
He acknowledged her strength in speaking out and emphasized that her courage should serve as an example.
Duffy was sentenced to 12 years in prison, placed on the sex offenders’ register, and subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to protect others from potential harm in the future.
