PETER KENNEDY'S CRIMES IN BLACKBURN: A SHOCKING CASE OF CHILD ABUSE AND REPEATED OFFENSES

In April 2006, a heartbreaking case of child abuse unfolded in Blackburn, where a mother publicly condemned Peter Kennedy, a known paedophile, for the devastating impact he had on her seven-year-old son. The incident, which took place in 2003, involved Kennedy leading the young boy by the hand to his residence on Stonehill Drive, Blackburn. Once inside, Kennedy subjected the child to a vile assault, throwing him onto a bed and engaging in a sexual act that left lasting scars.

Today, Kennedy, aged 50, was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault, two counts of gross indecency, and breaching a sex offenders' order. The order had been specifically designed to prevent him from associating with anyone under the age of 18, yet he violated these restrictions. The judge, Christopher Cornwall, presiding over Preston Crown Court, emphasized the danger Kennedy posed, citing his extensive criminal history and warning that any further sexual offenses could result in a life sentence or its equivalent.

It was revealed that Kennedy's prison sentence would only commence after he completes a four-year term currently being served for a previous breach of a sex offenders' order, imposed back in 1999. The mother of the young victim expressed her relief at the verdict but also conveyed the ongoing trauma her son would endure. She stated, "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." She added that her son, now aware of the dangers, perceives everyone as a potential threat, and she has become even more protective of him.

Judge Cornwall issued a stern warning to Kennedy, reiterating the potential consequences of any future offenses: "If you commit a further sexual offence, what will follow will be a life sentence, or its nearest equivalent."

The assault was reported in February of the following year, when the young boy, who had been playing near a tree, was approached by Kennedy. According to prosecutor Fiorella Brereton, Kennedy took the boy to his home, where he removed his own clothes and began to touch the child, leaving him paralyzed with fear. The boy attempted to escape, but Kennedy blocked the door and forcibly restrained him on the bed. Brereton explained, "He grabbed him and put him on the bed. He tried to get on top of the boy, and the boy kicked him. Kennedy then tried to remove the boy’s lower clothing."

Despite the trauma, the victim was able to provide a detailed description of Kennedy’s residence, which aided the investigation. Kennedy was already under a court order from 1999 that prohibited him from associating with minors and from entering places where children gather, such as parks and school grounds. His criminal record revealed a pattern of misconduct with young boys dating back to when he was 28 years old.

In 2004, Kennedy received a four-year prison sentence for breaching previous sex offenders' orders multiple times. Defense lawyer Mr. Mark Stuart argued that Kennedy’s guilty pleas had spared the young victim from having to testify in court, emphasizing that Kennedy recognized his need for help, which he believed could be addressed during his incarceration. The court also imposed a three-year extended license upon his release, along with lifelong bans on working with children and mandatory registration on the sex offenders’ register for life, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to society.