PETER WIGG FROM LOUGHTON AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD SEX ABUSE CASES

In a case that has spanned over four decades, Peter Wigg, a former teacher from Princes Risborough, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old pupil during the early 1970s. The conviction follows a lengthy investigation that uncovered Wigg's misconduct during his tenure at Brook Modern School in Loughton, Essex, between September 1972 and January 1973.

Wigg, aged 72 and residing on Jasmine Crescent in Princes Risborough, finally admitted to his crimes after years of denial. His admission came after he had previously served a prison sentence in 2003 for similar offences involving another young girl. The recent charges include four counts of indecent assault on a female and two counts of gross indecency with a child. These offences were committed during the autumn term at Brook Modern School, with the abuse reportedly occurring after a carol service held in Epping Forest, where Wigg offered the victim a lift home.

The victim, who was present in court for the sentencing, reported the abuse to police in November 2012. Subsequently, Wigg voluntarily went to Aylesbury police station in February of this year to provide a statement. His criminal history also includes a 15-month jail term handed down in September 2003 for indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl while he was working as a home tutor in Essex.

During the court proceedings, Wigg’s legal representative, Naomi Perry, expressed that her client had wanted to admit to the offences against the 14-year-old back in 2003 but was advised against doing so for legal reasons. Perry emphasized that Wigg’s immediate admission in this case was an attempt to provide closure for his victim, stating, “It was the most serious breach of trust there can be, that between a teacher and a pupil. His hope is that what he has done here, his immediate admissions, will provide her with closure.”

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC delivered the sentence, underscoring the gravity of Wigg’s actions. He stated, “You were a teacher with responsibility to her, her parents, the public, and your employers to care for her. Instead, you interfered with her.” The judge highlighted that the offences were too severe to warrant anything less than immediate custody. While acknowledging Wigg’s remorse and the forgiveness he received from his family, the judge also emphasized the lasting impact on the victim, who had described the effects of the abuse over her lifetime in a moving manner.

In addition to his prison sentence, Wigg was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. The court also learned that Wigg was involved with a church in Princes Risborough, which was aware of his sex offender registration requirements and was involved in determining his role within the church community.

Earlier in October 2013, Wigg had pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual offences committed during his teaching career. The charges included four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16 and one count of gross indecency with a child. These offences took place at Brook Modern School in Loughton, Essex, and involved acts such as kissing and indecent touching of the victim, both at school and in Wigg’s car in Epping Forest. Wigg denied an additional charge of attempting to rape the same girl, which remains on the court’s file for future consideration. Sentencing was scheduled for November 11, but the recent conviction and sentencing have now brought closure to this long-standing case.