PETER WILLIAMS FROM ST JOHN'S CHAPEL ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEX OFFENDER CONVICTION IN DURHAM

In a recent development at Durham Crown Court, Peter Williams, aged 61, faced sentencing after pleading guilty to charges of sexually touching a young girl. Despite the gravity of the offense, Williams was spared a prison sentence and instead received a three-year community order. The court also mandated that he participate in a sex offender treatment program as part of his rehabilitation process.

Williams, who was residing in the small village of St John’s Chapel in County Durham at the time of his offense, became the subject of community outrage following his arrest. The incident that led to his conviction occurred in June when a group of local residents, having learned about the allegations against him, confronted him at his flat located on Market Street. During this violent encounter, Williams was assaulted with an iron bar and was also stabbed in the buttock with a kitchen knife.

The attack was severe enough to warrant police intervention, and Williams was taken into custody. The court heard that Williams, who has been married twice and is a father, admitted to police that he had engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a girl. The details of the assault and the subsequent violence inflicted upon him by members of the community were discussed during the hearing.

In addition to Williams’ case, the court addressed the sentencing of other individuals involved in the incident. Two men, Richard Kellett, 32, of Vedra Close, Wearhead, and Kenneth Taylor, 24, of Front Street, Ireshopeburn, Weardale, were sentenced to 15 months in prison each after admitting to burglary and grievous bodily harm. Rachael Inskip, 27, of Market Street, St John’s Chapel, was given a 12-month supervision order after admitting to affray related to the disturbance.

Judge John Evans commented on the case, noting that the assaults on the young girl were relatively limited in scope and duration. He also acknowledged the violence directed at Williams by community members, stating, “The assaults on the girl are relatively limited in terms of extent and duration. In response to the publicity surrounding the case, you appear to have been the subject of violence at the hands of those who put themselves above the law.”

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Williams had been hospitalized following the attack and was remanded in custody for his own safety. The judge emphasized that a custodial sentence would not be sufficient to address Williams’ need for treatment, highlighting the importance of rehabilitation. He noted that probation officers reported Williams was remorseful and ashamed of his actions.

As part of his sentence, Williams is required to undergo treatment for sexual offenders and will live in a probation hostel in Doncaster, his hometown. The judge warned that any breach of the court’s order could result in his return to custody. Furthermore, Williams has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years and is prohibited from living with anyone under 18 for a period of ten years unless social services grant permission.

Overall, the case underscores the complex issues surrounding community justice, the importance of rehabilitation for offenders, and the ongoing concerns of safety and justice in small communities like St John’s Chapel.