PETER CHANDLER PORTSLADE AND HAYWARDS HEATH HORROR: 20 YEARS FOR RAPE OF TEENAGE GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Portslade and Haywards Heath, Peter Chandler, aged 68, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 20 years after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse against a teenage girl. The horrific abuse spanned over five years, during which Chandler systematically assaulted the young girl, who was between the ages of 12 and 17 at the time.

Details emerged during the proceedings that Chandler’s wife, Peggy, aged 63, attempted to conceal the extent of her husband's crimes. She hid a letter written by the victim, which detailed the abuse, from police investigators. This act of cover-up was a significant factor in the case, with the court describing her actions as part of a disturbing attempt to obstruct justice.

The court heard that the abuse was not limited to isolated incidents but involved a series of seven rapes, along with ongoing sexual exploitation. Some of these acts took place within the confines of the couple’s home on Benfield Way in Portslade, where Chandler and his wife resided. The victim, who was initially too afraid to disclose her ordeal, finally found the courage to confide in her boyfriend last year. Her revelation prompted her to write a letter to Mrs. Chandler, a former teacher, detailing the abuse she had endured.

However, instead of reporting the matter to authorities immediately, the victim’s mother received the letter after it was sent to Chandler’s brother in Cambridge. It was only in March of the previous year that the abuse was fully uncovered when a friend of the victim informed her mother, leading to police involvement. During police searches of the Chandler residence, Mrs. Chandler falsely claimed to have shredded the letter, an act that was later deemed an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Following the revelations, Peter Chandler was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges, avoiding a lengthy trial. His defense attorney, Gordon Ross, acknowledged that Chandler would likely spend most of his remaining life in prison, emphasizing his remorse and regret for his actions. Ross also pointed out that Chandler had expressed deep remorse both to the victim and to his wife.

Mrs. Chandler, who was also implicated in the case, admitted to attempting to obstruct justice by destroying the letter. She was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, for her role in the cover-up. Her actions were described by the judge, Paul Tain, as devious and indicative of a misguided sense of responsibility driven by shock and confusion.

Judge Tain condemned the case as one of the most serious he had encountered, highlighting the repeated nature of the abuse and the extensive suffering inflicted upon the young girl. He acknowledged Mrs. Chandler’s secondary victim status, noting her naive and impulsive decision to hide the letter. Despite the gravity of her actions, the judge chose to suspend her sentence, considering the circumstances. The case has left a lasting impact on the communities of Portslade and Haywards Heath, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of abuse and the importance of justice.