PETER HUGHES FROM REDCAR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN IN TEESSIDE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Redcar and the wider Teesside area, Peter Hughes, a 70-year-old man, has been subjected to additional prison time following revelations of his continued predatory behavior towards young girls. Hughes, who was already serving a sentence for previous convictions, faced further justice after a third victim came forward, sharing her traumatic experience and confirming that she was subjected to similar abuse by him.

Hughes’s initial conviction dates back to December 2017, when he was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for sexually assaulting two young girls, incidents that occurred decades apart. The court heard that his criminal actions spanned a significant period, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted over many years. However, the case took a new turn when, just three months after Hughes’s incarceration, another girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, approached a local councillor to disclose her own ordeal.

This girl recounted how Hughes repeatedly touched her when she was underage, several years prior. She described how he urged her to keep the abuse a secret, warning her that it was a “secret,” which added to her feelings of fear and confusion. Prosecutor Andrew Espley detailed that Hughes vehemently denied the allegations when questioned by police, insisting he had done nothing inappropriate. Despite his denials, the girl’s emotional statement painted a picture of vulnerability, fear, and lasting trauma. She expressed her feelings of anxiety, discomfort, and self-blame, revealing how the abuse had profoundly affected her mental health and daily life.

In her poignant statement, she shared her ongoing struggles, saying, “I kept the secret for many years. I experienced so many different emotions over the years about what happened and what he did to me. It’s affected me in ways I never thought it would.” She described her constant worry about the possibility of Hughes’s release from prison, despite knowing he cannot physically harm her again. Her words reflected deep-seated fears and the long-lasting impact of her childhood trauma, which she said had affected her education, relationships, sleep, and overall emotional well-being. “This is something that will never go away. This is something I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life,” she added, emphasizing the profound and enduring damage caused by Hughes’s actions.

Hughes, who was formerly residing on Coatham Road in Redcar but is now held in prison, admitted to one charge of sexual assault. The court considered the complexities of sentencing, noting that the offense occurred before Hughes’s initial imprisonment. Judge Paul Watson QC explained that he had to determine what the appropriate sentence would have been if all offenses had been dealt with simultaneously. Consequently, Hughes was sentenced to an additional two-and-a-half years in prison, which will be added to his existing sentence, bringing his total incarceration period to just over eight years. Furthermore, Hughes, classified as an “offender of particular concern,” will serve an extra year on license after his release, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the risk he poses.

In a related case from December 2017, Hughes’s past was further scrutinized when he faced charges for molesting another young girl nearly four decades ago. During that time, Hughes, then in his 30s, engaged in inappropriate conduct that included kissing, touching, and encouraging the girl to touch him. Although she did not remember the groping at the time, Hughes later confessed to the police that he had engaged in such behavior. The victim expressed her disappointment that no action was taken at the time, which allowed Hughes to evade justice for so long. Her statement conveyed the lasting scars left by the abuse, which affected her adult life, relationships, and self-esteem. She also expressed relief that Hughes was finally being held accountable.

Hughes’s criminal record also includes a recent incident from the previous year, when he sexually assaulted another young girl, again persuading her to keep the incident a secret. Her mother described the incident as having a “devastating” impact on her daughter, with repercussions that extended into her emotional health and development. Hughes admitted to one charge of sexual assault, four of indecent assault, and two of indecency with a child. His defense lawyer, John Nixon, highlighted Hughes’s lack of previous convictions and his remorse, stating that Hughes was a hard-working, self-employed man who supported his family. Nixon emphasized that Hughes had made full admissions and expressed genuine remorse, acknowledging that his life would never be the same.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, expressed deep concern over Hughes’s attitude during the proceedings. The judge pointed out that Hughes did not consider his behavior towards the first victim to be abusive and believed she was a “willing participant,” a view that the court strongly rejected, reminding Hughes of her young age at the time. The judge underscored the importance of recognizing the true nature of the abuse and the lasting harm inflicted. Despite Hughes’s remorse and admissions, the judge sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to restrict his contact with under-16s.

Throughout these proceedings, the case has highlighted the long-standing issues of child abuse and the importance of justice for victims who have endured such trauma over many years. Hughes’s case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of sexual offenses against children and the ongoing need for vigilance and support for survivors in the community of Redcar and beyond.