PETER GUDGEON FROM ACCRINGTON SENT TO HOSPITAL OVER SEX OFFENCES IN ACCRINGTON AND WHALLEY

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over several years, Peter Gudgeon, a 22-year-old man from Accrington, has been subjected to multiple legal proceedings related to his inappropriate and illegal sexual behaviour involving young boys. His troubling history includes repeated attempts to approach minors in public parks and exposure of himself, which has led to his ongoing detention in a hospital setting for mental health treatment.

Back in December 2010, Gudgeon, then 19, was involved in a series of offences where he made sexual advances towards three schoolboys in Accrington. One of these incidents involved him following a young boy, asking if he wanted to see his genitals, and attempting to expose himself. The young victim, overwhelmed and distressed, fled home and confided in his mother about the encounter. Despite these alarming actions, Gudgeon was bailed out and later released, having served approximately six months on remand. During this period, he also received a reprimand at age 15 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy.

Following his release, Gudgeon continued to exhibit concerning behaviour. In February and August of 2010, he was found guilty of six charges, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. As part of his sentence, he was placed under a three-year community order with high-level supervision and was registered on the sex offenders’ register for five years. Additionally, a five-year sexual offences prevention order was issued, prohibiting him from approaching or communicating with anyone under 16 unless supervised by an adult. Despite these measures, Gudgeon’s behaviour persisted.

In 2013, the pattern of misconduct continued. Gudgeon, then 22, was again in the spotlight after being arrested for similar offences. He had been living at College Court in Accrington but was detained in hospital at Calderstones Hospital in Whalley under an interim hospital order. The authorities had become increasingly concerned about his mental health and behavioural issues, which were linked to a diagnosed mental disorder related to his sexual conduct. Gudgeon admitted to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, breaching his previous community order.

During the court proceedings, Judge Simon Newell reviewed extensive psychological and psychiatric reports on Gudgeon. The reports confirmed that he was suffering from a mental disorder that significantly impacted his sexual behaviour. Based on this evidence, the judge decided that Gudgeon should be detained in a hospital for treatment under the Mental Health Act, rather than serving a traditional custodial sentence. Consequently, Gudgeon was ordered to be detained at Calderstones Hospital without restrictions, where he would continue to receive psychiatric care.

Judge Newell emphasized the seriousness of Gudgeon’s condition and the importance of treatment, stating, “I am satisfied he is suffering from a mental disorder, which makes it appropriate for him to be detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, for treatment.” The court also mandated that Gudgeon sign the sex offenders register for seven years and imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order to prevent further contact with minors.

Throughout his legal history, Gudgeon’s case has been marked by repeated attempts to address his behaviour through community orders and supervision, but his actions demonstrated a persistent pattern of offending. His case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing individuals with mental health issues linked to sexual offending, especially when they have learning difficulties and a history of non-compliance with previous orders.

Local residents and the families of his victims have expressed concern over the adequacy of the measures taken. One mother, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced her frustration, stating, “I really don’t think he has any respect for the law whatsoever. I’d like to see him go to jail and then get help from the community. It was hard, to explain to my son that he wasn’t still in jail. Now he knows he’s out there, there’s no chance of getting him out of the house. I don’t know what to do with him next. The public need to be aware that this guy is on a very strict supervision order.”

Gudgeon’s case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant monitoring and mental health intervention in cases involving sexual offences against minors, especially when the offender has known learning difficulties and a history of repeated offending.