PETER GILLETT FROM MAESTEG SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN WEST SUSSEX

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community, Peter Gillett, a man with ties to Maesteg, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against children. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing extent of Gillett’s abuse, which spanned several years and involved multiple young victims.

Gillett, aged 59, appeared before Lewes Crown Court to face charges related to the abuse, which took place primarily in Crawley, West Sussex. The court heard that he had sexually assaulted a boy and two girls, with the abuse occurring over a period from 1988 to 1996. The youngest victim was just eight years old at the start of the abuse, which continued until he was 15. The two girls, aged between 13 and 15, also suffered from Gillett’s predatory behavior during this time.

The victims, who are now in their 40s, only came forward after seeing online comments suggesting that Gillett had sexually abused a young boy. It was the revelation of these comments that prompted them to report their experiences to the police, leading to a lengthy investigation that uncovered the full extent of Gillett’s crimes. The investigation revealed that Gillett’s offenses included rape, indecent assault, causing actual bodily harm, and child cruelty, spanning over seven years.

During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that Gillett had committed multiple offenses on different occasions, some involving repeated acts of abuse. Despite the severity of the allegations, Gillett was convicted of seven counts of non-recent sexual offenses. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

In a surprising turn during the trial, Gillett chose to dismiss his legal counsel and attempted to defend himself, a move that was ultimately unsuccessful. He was acquitted of a count of rape and a count of indecent assault against the first girl, as well as one count of indecent assault against the boy. Nevertheless, the court found him guilty of the remaining charges and sentenced him accordingly.

It was also revealed that Gillett had a connection to notorious gangster Reggie Kray, having grown close to him while they served time together in prison. Reggie Kray once described Gillett as his ‘adopted son,’ a detail that added a layer of notoriety to the case. Gillett’s crimes have left a lasting scar on his victims and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children.