MAN JAILED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF FIVE GIRLS
A man from Cornwall has received a 25-year prison sentence and is mandated to register as a sex offender for life after being convicted of multiple sexual offences and rapes involving five children.Peter Bunney, aged 46, who has no fixed address but has connections to Truro, Camborne, and Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing before Judge Simon Carr on Friday, September 27.
His trial at the same court resulted in a jury finding Bunney guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a child, five sexual assaults involving penetration on a child under 13, seven rapes of a child under 13, rape, two sexual assaults on a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and sexual activity with a child.
The court heard that allegations against Bunney first emerged in 2006 when two children reported they had been sexually touched by him.
Bunney had also made them touch him inappropriately.
Initial investigations did not lead to charges at that time due to insufficient evidence.
In 2020, police approached two parents who reported that their daughter had been raped by Bunney in the past.
The girl later spoke with authorities, recounting numerous instances of sexual abuse, including touching and rape, with Bunney offering to pay her if she permitted further abuse.
After this, another woman disclosed to police that Bunney had sexually touched her during her childhood.
Subsequently, officers interviewed a third woman, who recounted Bunney exposing himself to her when she was about eight years old, leading to Bunney being confronted.
The 2020 investigation revisited cases from 2006, with victims providing updated accounts.
One girl specifically stated that Bunney had raped her multiple times.
During a police interview, Bunney admitted that his phone inspection revealed a child indecent image, which he recognised the victim from.
Although no image was found, a further victim came forward, claiming Bunney had abused her in a swimming pool changing room in 2019.
Following ongoing investigations and disclosures, Bunney was charged with additional offences specifically two counts of child rape and sexual assault by penetration and was convicted on all counts at trial.
