PETER BARRETT SENTENCED IN NORTHAMPTON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 11-YEAR-OLD BOY

In August 2012, a man named Peter Barrett was convicted for sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy in Northampton. The abuse came to light after the boy’s mother confiscated his phone. Barrett, 48, who was married at the time, had used social media to contact the boy and arranged to meet him in Northampton, which led to the sexual assault.

Prosecutor Mary Loram explained at Northampton Crown Court, “For Christmas 2011, the victim was given a Blackberry phone. His mother periodically would confiscate it according to his behaviour. When she had his phone, his mother, understandably and reasonably, kept an eye on the text messages he received. On February 18, a text message from an unknown sender appeared, which she initially ignored. However, repeated messages a few days later prompted a series of exchanges between her and the defendant.”

Miss Loram added, “It became clear the defendant was a lot older than her son, and that they had met and he had taken him out for a drink.” The communication began through some social media platform earlier that year, eventually leading to a meeting in Northampton.

Barrett, of Jubilee Road, Daventry, admitted to forcing the boy to perform a sexual act on him while in his car. He pleaded guilty to charges of child rape and was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Additionally, he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and is subject to a sexual offences prevention order.

Judge Hilary Watson stated, “At any stage, you could have stopped this activity. You are an adult and he was a child. I’m satisfied your sexual gratification overcame all morals and other responsibilities you should have had to this child.”