PETER WATTON AND REGINALD CORBETT: CREWE'S DANGEROUS CRIMINALS SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC RAPE AND KIDNAPPING

In a case that has shocked the community of Crewe and the surrounding areas, Peter Watton and Reginald Corbett faced justice for their involvement in a series of violent crimes, including kidnapping, robbery, and a particularly brutal rape. The incidents, spanning over several years, have left victims traumatized and the public demanding accountability.

In February 2014, Peter Watton, a 37-year-old man residing on Henley Road, Lache, was convicted of a heinous attack that took place near Chester. The court heard how Watton had only recently been released on licence when he committed a terrifying assault on a female jogger. According to court records, Watton had been lying in wait along Duke's Drive in Chester, targeting an unsuspecting woman out for a run. He then forcibly dragged her into nearby bushes, where he subjected her to a series of eight rapes during what was described as a nightmare ordeal.

The prosecution revealed that Watton had only been free for two days before he threatened his victim with a knife, forcing her to perform sexual acts on him. The attack escalated to the point where he led her to the banks of the River Dee, where she believed her life was in imminent danger. The victim, who showed remarkable courage, managed to escape after enduring nearly nine hours of terror. Her escape was a testament to her resilience, as she fled through fences and ran towards nearby houses to seek help.

Judge Elgan Edwards, presiding over the case at Chester Crown Court, described Watton as an “extremely dangerous man” and sentenced him to a total of 24 years in prison, with 20 years to be served behind bars and the remaining four on licence. The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that this was the worst rape case he had encountered in his many years on the bench. He condemned Watton’s refusal to attend court, which he viewed as a sign of his lack of remorse, and highlighted the victim’s degradation and suffering.

Judge Edwards also pointed out that Watton posed a significant risk of serious harm to women in general. He described how Watton had been lying in wait for victims, including a young woman who was simply out for a run—a pastime considered safe near the city. The judge noted that the victim had been held captive for nine hours, during which she believed she was going to die. Her ordeal left her with lasting emotional scars, including nightmares, loss of confidence, and difficulty discussing her trauma.

The court heard that Watton had a lengthy criminal record, with 27 convictions for 132 offences, including kidnapping and robbery. Notably, in 2010, he was convicted of kidnapping and served half of a six-year sentence before being released on licence the previous year. His criminal history also includes a 1999 conviction for attempting to violently abduct a woman on Eardswick Lane, Crewe, after escaping from HMP Sudbury and stealing a car with an accomplice. During that attack, he pretended to be a police officer, pulled over the victim, and assaulted her repeatedly.

Just days before the Chester attack, Watton had ambushed another victim, a woman out jogging with her dog on June 14 of the previous year. He tied her up and subjected her to multiple rapes during a nine-hour abduction. The victim managed to escape by climbing fences and running towards houses, fearing for her life. Her account detailed how Watton had been intent on forcing her into the River Dee, threatening her with a knife and describing her terror during the daylight assault.

Watton’s criminal activities also include a 2010 incident where he, along with Reginald Corbett, kidnapped an 18-year-old man named Daniel Copper. The two men forced him to drive them around Crewe in search of drugs, with Watton threatening him and Corbett warning him they would burn his house down. During this incident, they stole a laptop and clothing from a nearby flat, and a third accomplice, armed with a screwdriver, was involved but remains unidentified.

Both Watton and Corbett have extensive criminal histories. Corbett, aged 25, has previously been convicted of two counts of rape and was given an indefinite sentence in 2008, although he later successfully appealed one of those convictions. His record also includes a prior conviction for kidnapping. Defense attorneys for both men argued that their crimes were not premeditated violent acts but rather impulsive or non-violent offenses. However, the judge dismissed these claims, emphasizing the frightening nature of their actions and the impact on their victims.

During the trial, the jury—comprising nine women and three men—deliberated for just over two hours before finding Watton guilty of all 12 counts related to the rape, abduction, and threats. The court also sentenced him to an additional four years for possession of a knife, to run concurrently with his other sentences. The victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, expressed their ongoing fear and trauma, with one victim describing how she no longer feels safe outside her home and struggles with nightmares and emotional distress.

In conclusion, the court’s verdict and sentencing reflect the gravity of these crimes and the community’s need for justice. Watton’s history of violence and predatory behavior underscores the importance of strict sentencing to protect the public from such dangerous individuals. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact violent offenders can have on their victims and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial proceedings to ensure justice is served.