PETER YAXLEY SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON AND FAREHAM FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In August 2007, a disturbing case involving a sex offender from the Fareham and Southampton areas culminated in a significant prison sentence. Peter Yaxley, aged 60, was convicted of serious sexual offenses against a young boy and subsequently sentenced to serve time in prison.

Yaxley, who was previously residing on Grove Road in Fareham before moving to Cornwall Close in Southampton, was found guilty after a four-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. The charges stemmed from a series of grooming and sexual activities involving a 10-year-old boy. The court heard that Yaxley had lured the young boy with promises of a shopping trip, during which he intended to buy video games and a burger, creating an ostensibly innocent outing.

However, the situation took a sinister turn once they arrived at Yaxley's residence. The court was told that Yaxley asked the boy if he had begun puberty, then proceeded to pull down his trousers and touch him inappropriately. The defendant also displayed a collection of pornography videos and invited the young boy to watch them, further exploiting the child's trust and innocence before they left for a shopping trip in Fareham.

Prosecutor Jeremy Wright highlighted the disturbing nature of Yaxley's behavior, stating: “During the course of this outing, Mr. Yaxley said, it seems both at home and in the burger bar, ‘I’m making you happy, don’t you think you could make me happy by letting me give you a grope’.”

Judge Gareth Cowling, who presided over the case, addressed the court during sentencing. He emphasized that Yaxley had carefully cultivated a relationship of trust with the young boy, which he exploited for his own gratification. The judge noted that although the physical contact was at the lower end of severity, Yaxley's persistent and calculated behavior demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory intent. The judge remarked that Yaxley's actions had a profound impact on the victim, who was left deeply upset and frightened, experiencing sleep disturbances and nightmares in the aftermath.

Yaxley's defense attempted to appeal for a reduced sentence, citing the loss of his home and employment, and his continued denial of the offenses. Despite this, the court upheld a substantial punishment. Yaxley was sentenced to 12 months in prison for meeting a child following grooming, and an additional two-and-a-half years for engaging in sexual activity with a minor. These sentences are to run concurrently. Furthermore, Yaxley was placed on the sex offenders' register and received an indefinite ban from working with children, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.