PETER THOMPSON FROM WESHAM AND FYLDE SENTENCED TO FIVE AND A HALF YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Fylde and Wesham, Peter Thompson, a 52-year-old resident of Station Road in Wesham, has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving two young girls under the age of 13.

Thompson faced Preston Crown Court where a jury found him guilty of six counts of sexual assault. Despite his denial of the charges, the evidence presented was compelling enough to secure a conviction. The offences, which took place in the Fylde area, have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community at large.

Throughout the proceedings, Thompson’s defense, led by Michael Maher, submitted numerous references highlighting his character and contributions to society. A pre-sentence report prepared by probation officers described the offences as an “aberration,” suggesting that Thompson did not pose a significant ongoing risk to other girls and did not exhibit traits typical of a sophisticated sex offender.

In his plea for leniency, Mr. Maher emphasized Thompson’s otherwise law-abiding lifestyle and his positive contributions to the community. “It was such an aberration for someone who had otherwise led a law-abiding lifestyle and who has channelled his energies not just in a positive way, but an exemplary way,” Maher stated. He further remarked that Thompson had been a “model member of the community” prior to these offences and lamented that he was now considered a “social pariah” as a result.

The defense also pointed out that many within and outside Thompson’s community had genuine reasons to be grateful for his previous actions, underscoring the complexity of his character and the community’s feelings towards him.

However, the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Robert Altham, made it clear that the gravity of the crimes warranted an immediate custodial sentence. As he delivered the sentence, Judge Altham emphasized the seriousness of the offences, stating, “These are matters so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be warranted.” The court’s decision reflects the severity with which such crimes are regarded, especially when committed against vulnerable minors in the Fylde and Wesham areas.