PETER RAGGETT GROOMED CHILDREN IN GOSSOPS GREEN AND ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT AFTER FLEEING JUSTICE

In September 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Peter Raggett, a known sex offender residing in Gossops Green and later on the Isle of Wight, who was convicted of grooming a woman and her young granddaughter. The case drew significant attention due to Raggett's history and the serious nature of his misconduct.

Judge Susan Evans presided over Raggett's hearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court, where he appeared after admitting to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order issued in 2008. This order was originally imposed following his previous convictions for sexual offences involving children. Raggett, aged 56 at the time, was already on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, underscoring the severity of his past crimes.

The prosecution, led by Christopher Stopa, detailed how Raggett had begun a new relationship in May of that year. Using the dating app Plenty of Fish, he engaged with a woman from Sussex, presenting himself as a charming individual. However, it was revealed that Raggett had not been truthful about his identity, using a false name during these interactions. The court learned that Raggett’s new partner had an eight-year-old granddaughter, who was often present during Raggett’s visits to her home.

According to the evidence, Raggett visited the woman’s residence on multiple occasions, sometimes staying overnight while her granddaughter was sleeping on a sofa bed downstairs. In early August, the woman brought her granddaughter to the Isle of Wight to visit Raggett and participate in the Bembridge Fort Walk. During this visit, a member of the public approached the woman and warned her that Raggett was a paedophile. Shocked and alarmed, she immediately returned to her hotel with her granddaughter and subsequently fled the island without attempting to speak with Raggett.

The court was told that the thought of Raggett being left alone with the young girl was deeply troubling and should have raised serious concerns. Following his arrest on August 4, Raggett cooperated with police, admitting during an interview that he had been planning to disclose his past convictions but had not done so. He also acknowledged that he had breached the Sexual Offences Prevention Order by being alone with the granddaughter on several occasions.

Raggett’s defense lawyer, Graham Gilbert, described him as a lonely man seeking companionship, emphasizing that his client met the woman through an adult dating app and was not seeking to meet children. Gilbert pointed out that the time Raggett spent alone with the granddaughter was minimal. Despite these arguments, the court sentenced Raggett to 16 months in prison, reflecting the gravity of his actions.

Judge Evans made it clear that she believed Raggett had been grooming both the woman and her granddaughter. She stated, “The very first time you came across that child, you should have had no further contact with that woman, but you did.” The judge’s comments underscored the seriousness of the breach and the potential danger Raggett posed.

As of the latest update, Raggett has been released from custody and is living on the Isle of Wight, but his criminal record and the court’s findings remain a stark reminder of the risks associated with his past behavior.