PETER FINNEY FROM CHATHAM AND WELLING SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR ON YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the communities of Chatham and Welling, Peter Finney, a former teacher, has been sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment following his disturbing pattern of sexual misconduct involving underage girls. The court heard that Finney, aged 25, had engaged in a series of inappropriate and illegal activities with young girls, including a girl aged just 13 and another aged 15, shortly after his release from a previous jail term.

Finney’s latest criminal actions came to light after he initiated a relationship with a 13-year-old girl while working as a music teacher at Chatham Grammar School for Girls. The prosecution, led by Peter Forbes, detailed how Finney’s conduct was essentially grooming in nature. The court was told that the relationship involved after-school meetings, cuddling, and sexual kissing. Finney would communicate with the girl through phone calls and emails, often using language of a sexual nature, which represented a gross breach of trust and exploitation of the girl’s vulnerability.

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, presided over the case and described Finney’s actions as deeply troubling. He sentenced Finney to four months in prison for the grooming offense, but Finney was released after serving only two months. At the time of his release, Finney was still on license, and it was during this period that he re-engaged in criminal conduct involving another young girl, this time aged 15.

According to the evidence presented, Finney attempted to contact the 15-year-old girl through phone calls and text messages, often under the alias “Mike” to conceal his identity. The messages contained explicit sexual content, and their communication escalated to physical meetings. The court was informed that the pair first met in a restaurant car park, where Finney coerced the girl into performing a sexual act. They subsequently arranged to meet at Bluewater shopping center near Dartford and booked into a hotel in Canterbury, with the girl paying the £90 cost from her savings. The encounters included sexual intercourse on multiple occasions, with Finney not using protection, leading the girl to take the morning-after pill afterward.

Further investigations revealed that Finney had discussed his previous offenses and his interest in another pupil with a female friend, who tried to persuade him to seek help. Despite his pleas for secrecy, the friend reported his behavior to the authorities, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges. Finney’s actions demonstrated a pattern of predatory behavior and a significant breach of trust, especially considering his role as an educator.

During the sentencing, Judge Patience emphasized the seriousness of Finney’s conduct, stating, “I would have hoped you would have learnt your lesson and that you were determined to mend your ways, but that was not to be. You are a person with very considerable sexual problems.” The judge imposed a public protection sentence, which means Finney will not be considered for release until he has served at least one year and 78 days, taking into account the 104 days he spent on remand. The court made it clear that this was not a fixed release date but a period before he could be considered for parole.

Finney’s case has raised significant concerns about safeguarding and the risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those in positions of trust such as teachers. The communities of Chatham and Welling are now left to grapple with the implications of this disturbing case, which underscores the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of laws protecting minors from exploitation and abuse.