April 2006 Paedophile ruined my boy’s life A mother today slammed a serial paedophile for ruining her seven-year-old son’s life. Peter Kennedy, 50, of Stonehill Drive, Blackburn, led the boy by the hand to his home before throwing him on a bed and subjecting him to a vile assault. Jailing Kennedy for three years, Judge Christopher Cornwall told Preston Crown Court that the defendant, who had a string of previous convictions, posed a very real and continuing danger to young boys.’ And he warned him: “If you commit a further sexual offence, what will follow will be a life sentence, or its nearest equivalent.” He sentenced him after he admitted two offences of indecent assault, two of gross indecency and breaching a sex offenders’ order which should have prevented him from associating with anyone under 18. The prison term will only start once Kennedy has completed a four-year sentence he is already serving for a previous breach of a sex offenders order, imposed in 1999. Today the mother of the young victim, who was attacked in 2003, said she was happy with the verdict, but said her son would never forget what had happened to him. She said: “You cannot help but feel happy about the sentence and you think, I am not supposed to feel happy. “It has brought some closure but this is going to go on forever. The children are going to grow up remembering it all. “I am not going to say my son is fine about it. Now to him everybody is a paedophile and a danger. I was protective of him before but now I am extra protective.” Judge Cornwall warned Kennedy: “If you commit a further sexual offence, what will follow will be a life sentence, or its nearest equivalent.” The victim was attacked in 2003, but complained in February last year of a man trying to have sex with him. Fiorella Brereton, prosecuting, said the boy had been playing by a tree when Kennedy approached. Once at his home Kennedy removed his own clothes and started to touch the boy, leaving him paralysed with fear.’ The boy tried to leave, but Kennedy blocked the door. Miss Brereton said: “He grabbed him and put him on the bed. He tried to get on top of the boy and the boy kicked him.” She said Kennedy tried to remove the boy’s lower clothing. Later the victim was able to give a detailed description of the defendant’s home. Kennedy was already subjected to an order, made in 1999, which banned him from associating with anyone under 18 and play areas, parks, school playing fields or any place where children congregate. The court heard Kennedy had previous convictions for misconduct with young boys, dating back to when he was 28. In 2004 he was given four years in prison for several breaches of a sex offenders order. Mr Mark Stuart, defending, said the pleas had saved the boy having to give evidence at court. He said: “The defendant knows that he needs some real help. It will have to take place while he is in custody.” The three-year jail term carries three years extended licence when the defendant is released. Orders have been made banning him from working with children for the rest of his life. He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.