PETER INGRAM FROM MALBY SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN SHEFFIELD CROWN COURT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Maltby, Peter Ingram, a pensioner aged 72, has been sentenced to prison after admitting to a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young boys over a period exceeding twenty years. The offences, which span from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s, came to light during a court hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, revealing a long history of predatory behavior that has left a lasting impact on his victims.

According to court records, Ingram, who resides on Newlands Avenue in Maltby, began his pattern of abuse when he was targeting a 12-year-old boy nearly two decades ago. The court heard that he engaged in a series of disturbing acts, including encouraging the young victim to perform sexual acts in front of him, showing him pornography, and, on some occasions, physically touching him. These acts constituted serious offences, and Ingram was charged with multiple counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

Ingram pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault of a child under 14 and three counts of indecency with a child. As a result of his admission, he has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely, marking a lifetime restriction on his ability to work with children. The first victim did not come forward until he reached adulthood, after watching a television programme about child abuse, which prompted him to recall and report his traumatic experiences. By that time, Ingram had already been linked to abuse involving two other boys aged between 13 and 15.

Judge Graham Robinson, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the offences, stating, “These were serious offences involving three separate victims and they spanned a number of years.” The judge highlighted the long duration and repeated nature of Ingram’s crimes, which have caused significant harm to the victims.

Beyond his criminal activities, Ingram has been known to the local community for his troubled history on the Tarran estate, where he has lived for over 35 years. He previously made headlines for installing a CCTV system in his home, claiming it was to monitor yobs causing trouble in the area. The estate, consisting of 86 pre-fabricated properties, has been largely abandoned since a relocation program began in 2004. Many of the homes are now empty, boarded up, and in a state of decay, infested with rats and suffering from neglect. Ingram refused to leave until the council offered him a ‘comparable’ property, which he deemed acceptable.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Ingram had suffered health issues, including a stroke and a broken hip, and was wheeled into court in a vulnerable state. Despite concerns that he might be more susceptible to harm in prison, Judge Robinson made it clear that the severity of his crimes warranted a custodial sentence, stating, “The custody threshold is unquestionably passed.”

Ingram was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison and received a lifelong ban from working with children, ensuring he cannot hold positions that would put children at risk again. The case has left a lasting scar on the Maltby community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the ongoing need to protect vulnerable children from predators.