A man, Peter Barnes Lancashire Paedophile, convicted of raping and sexually abusing young children, has been sentenced to over 20 years in prison.
In October 2022, a woman informed the police that Peter Barnes, aged 75, had sexually assaulted her during her childhood.
Additional women emerged to disclose the sexual abuse they endured at his hands during the ensuing inquiry and prosecution.
Peter Barnes faced charges for 44 sexual crimes, comprising four counts of rape involving five children and two women.
The initial offences occurred in the late 1990s, while the most current offences transpired in 2023.
His youngest victim was between the ages of nine and eleven when he perpetrated rape and sexual assault against her.
Peter Barnes initially refuted all charges but entered a guilty plea for one count of indecent assault in July 2023.
Peter Barnes was convicted of the remaining 43 sexual crimes at a trial in June 2024.
Alex Mann, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, stated: “Peter Barnes is a sexual predator who specifically targeted and groomed children as young as nine.”
“He showed no remorse and in failing to take responsibility for his actions, he forced his victims to relive their ordeal at a trial, which further compounded the severe trauma his actions had caused.
“Thanks to the women who supported the prosecution, together with our colleagues at Lancashire police, we were able to build a strong case which proved Peter Barnes’ predatory, manipulative sexual offending against the five children and two women.
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