GREENHITHE SEX OFFENDER DANIEL PETTIPHER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ABUSE CASES

In a case that has spanned over two decades, Daniel Pettipher, a resident of Greenhithe, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of serious sexual offences committed against young girls and a woman. The disturbing revelations came to light after Pettipher, now 39 years old, finally admitted to his crimes during a counselling session earlier this year, leading to his subsequent arrest and conviction.

Between the years 1988 and 1995, Pettipher engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct that included molestation, indecency, and rape. The victims, who had suffered in silence for many years, only found the courage to come forward after Pettipher’s confession. The court heard that one of the victims was a young girl he was babysitting, and she was abused while she was asleep. On one such occasion, she awoke to find Pettipher had taken her hand and placed it on his private parts. Another victim, a woman, recounted waking up to find Pettipher naked beside her, an incident that left her deeply traumatized.

Patricia May, the prosecutor, detailed the nature of the offences during the proceedings at Maidstone Crown Court. She explained that Pettipher’s misconduct included molestation of three girls and a woman, with one girl being raped. The court was told that the woman involved had fallen asleep and awoke to find Pettipher had taken her hand and placed it on his private parts, a clear indication of the severity of his actions.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC addressed the court, emphasizing that Pettipher had expressed genuine remorse for his actions. The judge noted that Pettipher had a troubled and deprived background, including a period during which he was subjected to sexual abuse himself. Despite this, the judge acknowledged that Pettipher sought counselling because he recognized the need for help and was genuinely remorseful.

He stated, “He sought counselling because he needed help for what he had done. I find there is genuine remorse. I accept he had a difficult and deprived background, including a period when he was subjected to sexual abuse.”

However, the judge also pointed out that without Pettipher’s confession in 2011, the crimes might never have come to light, as none of the victims had reported their experiences earlier. The court recognized that the victims had chosen not to report the abuse, and Pettipher’s revelation was the only reason the case was brought to justice.

As part of his sentence, Pettipher was handed a 10-year prison term. Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, and his name will be entered onto the sex offenders’ register for life. He is also banned from working with children under the age of 16. The judge ordered that upon release, Pettipher should be on licence for the entire duration of his sentence, ensuring ongoing supervision and restrictions to prevent further harm.