PETER BARNEY SENTENCED IN BOURNEMOUTH FOR BREACH OF SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER

A convicted sex offender, Peter Barney, of Verwood Road, Three Legged Cross, was recently jailed for breaching a court order intended to protect women from his offending. Barney appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday, March 17, and received a 21-month prison sentence for violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The 59-year-old was previously convicted in March 2013 of assault by penetration and was sentenced to three years in prison. At that time, he was also placed under an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The order was issued following his offending while working as a gardener, and it stipulated that he could not be alone with any female not related to him in a property or garden during his employment.

On March 11 last year, Barney approached a woman at her Wimborne home. He knocked on her front door and asked if she wanted gardening work. During their conversation in the porch and garden, the woman initially did not recognize him but later realized she knew him, having been informed of his court restriction.

The woman stated that during their interaction, Barney made her feel very uncomfortable and remarked on her "beautiful eyes." When she went to call her husband, Barney left the garden, and she heard a vehicle driving away. The woman reported the incident to police, and Barney was arrested the following day.

At court, Barney admitted to breaching the order but denied making a comment about her eyes. He also claimed that much of the encounter took place on the pavement outside her property rather than in her garden. However, after considering the evidence, the judge dismissed Barney’s version of events.

As part of the sentencing, Barney was also subjected to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a restraining order was established to protect the victim. Both orders will remain in force until further notice.

Detective Inspector Sarah Gillion of Dorset Police’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team commented, “Thanks to the victim’s support, Barney is now facing the consequences of ignoring the court order, with a further prison sentence. He will continue to be closely managed by MOSOVO upon his release.”

Investigator Bill Nixon also emphasized the importance of adherence to court orders, stating, “The court imposed the order in 2013 to protect women from Barney’s sexual offending. This breach showed a complete disregard for that order. I want to thank the victim for reporting the incident and for supporting us during the investigation and court proceedings.”

Both officers highlighted the police’s commitment to working with partners to ensure that offenders who pose risks to the community, especially women, follow legal restrictions. They made it clear that failure to comply would result in appropriate actions being taken.