June 1997 Parents’ Fury as Judge Lets Child Abuser Walk Free AN executive who admitted six indecent assaults on boys walked free from court, despite being described by a judge as a `continuing risk to children’. Judge Anthony Balston’s decision not to jail 44-year-old Peter Reed sparked furious scenes involving the parents of three youngsters he had systematically abused. One mother had to be held back as she threatened to attack Reed, screaming: `Are you happy now?’ She said afterwards: `I felt so proud of my son for having the bravery to go through with the case. Now his attitude is that all he’s gone through has been a waste of time. He is very upset and feels cheated.’ Kent police officers who worked on the case were so upset they are writing to the Crown Prosecution Service to ask how they can appeal for a tougher punishment.