PETER RAYWORTH'S EVIL LEGACY IN MELKSHAM: A CHILD'S NIGHTMARE AND JUSTICE FAILED

In the quiet town of Melksham, a dark shadow continues to loom over a young boy and his family, years after a disturbing incident involving convicted sex offender Peter Rayworth. The 10-year-old boy, whose identity remains protected, has been haunted by traumatic memories ever since he was indecently assaulted by Rayworth in the bathroom of his Gloucester Square flat during the summer of the previous year.

Rayworth, now aged 53, was sentenced to a three-year rehabilitation order and was required to register as a sex offender for a period of five years following the assault. Despite these legal restrictions, he has since moved to Swindon, yet he remains free to visit Melksham, raising fears among the boy’s family that he could encounter his abuser again. The mother, who is 31 years old, expressed her deep concern and frustration over the situation, revealing that her son still suffers from nightmares and paranoia. She described how her son has taken to hanging lucky charms on his ceiling in an attempt to ward off the terrifying dreams, and even requested more charms for Christmas to help him cope.

She recounted her shock upon seeing Rayworth in Melksham town centre shortly after the town’s Christmas lights were turned on, an encounter that reignited her son’s trauma. Her words reflected her disbelief and anger: “I can’t believe he is still allowed to visit the town. My son is frightened to go swimming at the Blue Pool because he thinks this man will be there to get him. It is not right. The law has let us down. He could stand right outside my son’s school if he wants to.”

Her distress was compounded by recent sightings of Rayworth in Melksham, which caused her daughter to come home crying. She lamented the ongoing pain and chaos her family has endured since the assault, describing it as “a year of hell.” The mother emphasized the importance of counseling, which her son has been receiving since January, and expressed her gratitude for the support from the NSPCC. She admitted feeling helpless about how to explain the situation to her young child and revealed her intense anger, stating that she would risk arrest if it meant protecting her son from further harm.

Her son’s fear has led him to avoid going out alone, and he refuses to attend school without being in a crowd. The mother voiced her disappointment with the justice system, asserting that “justice has not been done,” and that her family continues to suffer emotionally. She described her son as carrying “the weight of the world on his shoulders,” and noted that he is so affected that he is not even thinking about Christmas this year.

Adding to the emotional turmoil, the mother reflected on the ongoing trial of Roy Whiting, the man accused of murdering eight-year-old Sarah Payne. Her thoughts turned to the possibility that her own child could have been a victim of such violence. She said: “With the Sarah Payne trial, all I can think of is that could have been my child. I am just thankful we still have my son.” She shared how her son has begun to ask questions about the trial, especially when he sees images of children on television, recognizing that something terrible is happening.

Despite the pain and fear, she acknowledged her son’s resilience and efforts to move forward, but she emphasized that the trauma should not be part of a child’s reality. Her family’s ordeal highlights the ongoing struggles faced by victims of sexual abuse and the perceived shortcomings of the justice system in protecting vulnerable children in Melksham and beyond.