PETER SUNDERLAND'S SHOCKING SEX ABUSE IN BURNLEY: VICTIM'S HORRIFIC ORDEAL REVEALED

In December 2000, a disturbing case of prolonged sexual abuse came to light involving Peter Sunderland, a voluntary worker from Burnley, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for his heinous crimes. The court proceedings revealed that Sunderland, aged 60 at the time, had subjected a young girl to a six-year campaign of sexual assault, which left a lasting scar on her life.

Burnley Crown Court heard detailed accounts of how Sunderland repeatedly raped the girl over several years. The abuse was not limited to isolated incidents; rather, it was a systematic pattern of exploitation that included threats and physical violence. The victim, who was between 10 and 16 years old during the period of abuse, was subjected to assaults whenever she refused Sunderland’s demands. On one particularly severe occasion, she sustained a broken nose, which led her to seek medical attention at a hospital.

The prosecution, led by Kathryn Johnson, explained that Sunderland had purchased an old ambulance, which he used as a location to carry out the abuse. He would lure the girl into meeting him, often threatening her with harm or harm to her family if she disclosed what was happening. The victim eventually confided in the police in 1999, leading to Sunderland’s arrest and subsequent trial. During police interviews, Sunderland denied any involvement, claiming that the girl was suffering from false memory syndrome, a defense that was ultimately rejected by the jury.

Despite his conviction on six counts of rape, three counts of a serious sex offence, and one count of gross indecency, Sunderland maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. His defense lawyer, Peter Buckley, stated that Sunderland continued to protest his innocence and showed no remorse or admission of guilt. Buckley emphasized that Sunderland was a devoted father to his disabled daughter, who was facing major surgery, and that his tears were for his family’s suffering, not remorse for his actions.

Judge Raymond Bennett sentenced Sunderland to nine years in prison, describing his crimes as systematic and among the worst he had encountered. The judge emphasized the lifelong impact on the victim, stating that she would carry the trauma for the rest of her life. He condemned the public’s abhorrence of those who mistreat children and underscored the importance of justice in such cases.

Sunderland, of Grange Street, Burnley, was also noted for his involvement in the community, having served as a volunteer at Burnley’s Vanguard Community Centre and being a member of its management committee. Nevertheless, his community service and personal life could not undo the gravity of his crimes, which have left a deep and lasting impact on his victim and the community of Burnley.