PETER WYNNE FROM BURSTLEM AND TUNSTALL JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN STOKE-ON-TRENT AND NEARBY AREAS

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, Peter Wynne, a known sex offender from Burslem and Tunstall, has faced multiple convictions and subsequent incarcerations related to his violations of strict court orders designed to protect children. His criminal history is extensive, with convictions dating back to the late 1980s and 1990s, including indecent assault and gross indecency with minors.

Most recently, in June 2017, Wynne was sentenced to a 16-month prison term after he was found guilty of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). This order, which was imposed in 2004, was meant to prevent him from having any contact with children under the age of 16. Despite these restrictions, Wynne repeatedly violated the order, with the court noting that he had breached it on at least 16 previous occasions. One such breach occurred in March 2017, when he attended a church service at The Quality Hotel in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and allowed a young girl to sit on his knee during a baptism ceremony.

Details presented in court revealed that Wynne, aged 49 at the time, had a history of inappropriate conduct around children. On March 6, he attended a Bible study at a pastor’s residence, where a child was present. Four days later, he participated in a baptism at the hotel swimming pool, an event attended by several children, including the girl who sat on his knee. After the baptism, Wynne returned to the pastor’s home, where children were also present, and at one point, he had a young girl on his lap. Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin emphasized that Wynne continued to attend church services until his arrest on March 26, 2017, and that he had shared his life story with the pastor just three days prior, without disclosing his criminal past.

Wynne, who resides on Nile Street in Burslem, pleaded guilty to breaching his SOPO. His legal counsel, Robert Smith, acknowledged that Wynne deserved a custodial sentence but highlighted that he had taken steps to rebuild his life after being released from prison in 2011. Smith explained that Wynne had sought to join a church group and had been trying to integrate into society, although he admitted that Wynne should have disclosed his convictions to his supervising officers and religious leaders. The court was told that Wynne has not engaged in any contact offences since 1996, and his attempts at rehabilitation were noted.

Judge David Fletcher, presiding over the case, sentenced Wynne to 16 months in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of Wynne’s violations, stating, “You are the subject of a very restrictive order, which lasts until you die. You should have no contact or put yourself in a position where you could have contact with children. The minute you were aware there were children involved in the acts of worship, you should have stepped away. You could have sought guidance but chose to ignore the risks.”

Earlier incidents involving Wynne include a 2010 case where he was jailed for two-and-a-half years after being seen at a play area in Newcastle, Tunstall, despite his SOPO restrictions. His history also includes an incident in January 2010, when he was caught befriending a family, raising concerns about his ongoing risk to children.

Wynne’s troubling pattern of behavior extends back to his earlier years. In 2014, he was jailed for breaching a park order in Stoke-on-Trent by playing tennis, an activity prohibited under his conditions. His criminal record is marked by repeated breaches of court orders, indicating a persistent pattern of attempting to circumvent restrictions meant to safeguard minors.

Throughout these proceedings, Wynne’s case has underscored the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and managing convicted sex offenders, especially those with a history of breaching court-imposed restrictions. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of protective orders to prevent further harm to vulnerable children in the Stoke-on-Trent area and beyond.