PETER BRADLEY ABUSE SCANDAL IN BURY ST EDMUNDS: FORMER SCOUT LEADER SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bury St Edmunds, Peter Bradley, an 81-year-old former scout leader, has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses spanning over three decades. The court heard that Bradley’s actions included multiple instances of sexual assault, indecency, and rape, involving young girls as victims. His crimes, which took place from 1983 to 2017, have left a lasting impact on those affected, with the court describing the consequences as 'catastrophic.'

Bradley, who resides on Abbott Road in Bury St Edmunds, admitted to a total of 16 charges, including two counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault, as well as charges of assault of a child by penetration, indecency with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and sexual activity with a child. The severity of his offenses and the long duration over which they occurred prompted the judge to impose a substantial sentence.

Judge Rupert Overbury, presiding over the case, described Bradley as a dangerous offender. During the sentencing, he emphasized that due to Bradley’s advanced age, it was highly probable that he would spend the remainder of his life behind bars. The judge also ordered Bradley to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed an 18-year prison term, with an additional two-year extended license period. Bradley appeared via a prison video link for the hearing, and the judge clarified that he would need to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole consideration.

The court detailed the disturbing nature of the offenses, which spanned from the early 1980s through to 2017. The victims ranged in age from just four years old to 15, and the crimes occurred during Bradley’s tenure as a venture leader and scout leader. Prosecutor David Wilson recounted a particularly disturbing incident from the 1980s, where Bradley sexually assaulted a ten-year-old girl inside a scout shop on Guildhall Street in Bury St Edmunds. According to Wilson, Bradley pulled down the girl’s trousers, stood behind her pressing against her, and touched her breasts and between her legs. During this assault, Bradley allegedly told the girl he would buy her a pair of jeans.

Further testimonies revealed that another victim, a young girl, described being groped by Bradley during a car ride. A four-year-old girl also confided in a relative that Bradley had touched her between the legs. One victim recounted being both orally and vaginally raped by Bradley, and she also described being sexually assaulted while watching the Disney Channel on TV. Bradley was arrested in August of the previous year, during which he admitted to police, saying, “I’ve been naughty and that’s why I was expecting you.”

In court, Sally Hobson, representing Bradley, highlighted his troubled state of mind, revealing that he found it extremely difficult to live with the guilt of his actions and had even attempted to take his own life. The case has brought to light the disturbing abuse committed by a trusted community figure, leaving a lasting scar on the victims and the community of Bury St Edmunds.