PETER BEATON'S HEATON HORROR: SEX OFFENDER AND MUGGER TERRORIZES NEWCASTLE NEIGHBOURHOOD

In a disturbing series of street attacks within the Heaton area of Newcastle, 19-year-old Peter Beaton has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a pattern of violent and sexual offenses committed over a two-month period. The court also ordered him to be placed on the sex offender register for life, marking the severity of his crimes and the threat he posed to the local community.

Beaton's reign of terror involved targeting eight women, all of whom were strangers, in a series of brutal assaults that took place within a radius of just 500 metres from his home in Heaton. The victims included a teacher, an office worker, two students, and a nursery assistant, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of his predatory behavior.

The first incident occurred on June 3 of the previous year, when Beaton deliberately cycling behind a 17-year-old girl and intentionally crashing into her. He then pushed her into a nearby garden, threatening to kill her if she screamed, before covering her mouth with his hand. During this assault, he ripped at her clothing and sexually assaulted her before fleeing the scene. This initial attack set the tone for the subsequent violence and sexual misconduct that would follow.

In another incident, Beaton ambushed a student by suddenly pushing her into some bushes after jumping from behind. He threatened her with death and pulled at her clothes, escalating the assault. The victim attempted to defend herself by kicking him in the groin, but Beaton responded with a hard punch to her side of the face, forcing her to retreat.

Further attacks included following a woman along the street, ripping open her shirt, and pulling her to the ground. During this assault, he stole her handbag, which contained her mobile phone. Prosecutor Robin Patton revealed that Beaton later used the phone to send obscene text messages to the victim’s boyfriend and even called her at her home, adding a layer of intimidation and harassment to his crimes.

The final known attack involved Beaton following and molesting a woman near a supermarket car park. He forcibly covered her mouth and pushed her to the ground, committing another sexual assault. These repeated offenses demonstrated a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior targeting vulnerable women in the Heaton neighborhood.

The court heard that Beaton admitted to the charges of sexual assault and robbery, which took place between June and August of the previous year. His plea of guilty was taken into account during sentencing, along with his age, previous good character, and apparent remorse.

Judge Tony Lancaster, delivering the sentence, expressed his concerns about Beaton’s deliberate targeting of women he perceived as vulnerable. He emphasized that the number and nature of the attacks indicated that Beaton posed a significant danger to women in the community. The judge pointed out that while the robberies alone were frightening, the sexual assaults inflicted even greater fear and trauma on the victims.

In conclusion, the court’s decision reflects the seriousness of Beaton’s crimes and the ongoing threat he represents. The community of Heaton can now be assured that he has been removed from the streets for a substantial period, but the scars left on his victims serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable members of society.