SHAUN AND PETER YATES FROM DAREN WIN LONG SENTENCES FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN DARWEN

In a landmark case that has shocked the community of Darwen, Lancashire, a father and son duo, Peter Yates, aged 68, and Shaun Yates, aged 44, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a series of heinous crimes against vulnerable young girls. The crimes, spanning nearly two decades, involved systematic sexual abuse and exploitation carried out within the confines of their family home on Birch Hall Avenue, a location that once appeared to many as a safe haven but was, in reality, a place of terror for their victims.

Peter Yates, who was convicted of a total of 34 charges including seven counts of rape, 22 counts of indecent assault, one count of buggery, and four counts of indecency with a child, received a sentence of 25 years in prison. It is likely that he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars, given the severity of his crimes and the length of his sentence. The court heard that Yates, who had previously concealed his predatory behavior behind hobbies such as photography and caring for exotic pets, used these interests as a means to lure young girls into his home, where he subjected them to horrific acts of sexual violence.

His son, Shaun Yates, was also found guilty of two counts of rape and was sentenced to eight years in prison. The court described Shaun as inheriting his father’s propensity for sexual offending, a pattern of behavior that was evident in his own crimes, which included raping a girl on two separate occasions at the family residence and in a woodland den. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Shaun had continued to commit sexual offenses against both boys and girls, showing no cooperation with efforts to address his offending pattern.

The court proceedings revealed that between 1980 and 1999, a total of ten young girls, aged between seven and thirteen, were subjected to a series of horrific sexual assaults by Peter Yates. Many of these victims, some of whom were from modest backgrounds, testified that they were threatened, coerced, and manipulated into silence. When some victims finally came forward in the late 1990s, their reports were initially dismissed, and the investigation was dropped, leaving them in fear that Yates would never be held accountable.

During sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Judge Pamela Badley described Yates’ actions as a “campaign of rape” that spanned nearly two decades. She emphasized that justice had been a long time coming for the victims, some of whom sat in the courtroom gallery to witness their abuser being sentenced. The judge noted with particular sadness that for one victim, justice only arrived after her death, underscoring the tragic impact of the abuse.

The court also heard that Peter Yates and his partner, Jean Smiley, a childminder, operated an open house at their home, where they befriended neighborhood schoolgirls. Many of these girls, often from humble backgrounds, were given sweets, pocket money, and gifts, which fostered a false sense of trust. However, Judge Badley condemned this behavior, stating, “What was going on was you engaged in prolific sexual offending, trapping many of the girls into a nightmare in which you groomed and abused them, while appearing to their parents to be a warm, wholesome figure.” She further explained that Yates’ offending involved significant levels of bribery, coercion, and threats, and that he showed no remorse or empathy for his victims.

Victims’ statements revealed the profound and lasting trauma inflicted upon them. Many described struggles with relationships, depression, anxiety, and some turned to drugs to numb the memories of their childhood abuse. The courtroom was filled with emotion as victims sobbed while Yates was sentenced, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of his crimes.

Detective Nicola Mullins from the Public Protection Unit at East Division commented on the case, stating, “Peter Yates has been sentenced accordingly for the horrific abuse he subjected his victims to. He took advantage of these young girls in the worst possible way and committed these despicable offences over a sustained period of time.” She highlighted the disturbing fact that Shaun Yates also exploited victims in a similar manner, which added to the case’s shock value. Mullins praised the efforts of the police officers involved, emphasizing the long and complex investigation that led to the convictions. She urged anyone who had been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report their experiences.

Tragically, one of Peter Yates’ victims died during the investigation, never witnessing her abuser being brought to justice. The case leaves a lasting scar on the community of Darwen, and the sentences serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predators.