PETER COMPTON'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN HIGHWORTH: DECADES OF HORROR REVEALED

In October 2013, the long-overdue consequences of past actions finally caught up with Peter Compton, a man previously considered reformed, as he was sentenced to six years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against young girls in Highworth. The case, which spanned over two decades, uncovered a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse that had remained hidden for years.

Compton, now 67 years old, was found guilty of abusing four young girls between the years 1973 and 1994. The victims ranged in age from as young as six or seven years old, with some of the abuse occurring during visits to his family home in Highworth. One of the girls was a family friend, while two others served as babysitters, making the abuse particularly insidious given the trust placed in Compton by their families.

The court heard that Compton's misconduct included groping the children during their visits, with one incident occurring when a girl called round to his house to see someone else. The abuse was only halted when his son arrived home unexpectedly. Despite the disturbing nature of these allegations, Compton maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

In his defense, Compton's supporters presented a character reference from Reverend David Gray of Stratton Methodist Church. The clergyman testified that Compton had been actively involved in community service, helping out at a local community kitchen alongside children as young as ten. Reverend Gray expressed his belief that Compton was a caring and gentle man, and he saw no indication of any risk to children from him. The church community had also offered support, with Gray stating, “I have seen no hint of Mr. Compton showing sexual activity to these young women. He is very caring and very sympathetic. A very gentle man is how he comes across. I honestly don’t consider him a risk.”

However, the court was not swayed by these character references. Despite hearing from a Methodist clergyman, the judge, Euan Ambrose, emphasized that the severity of the crimes warranted a custodial sentence. The judge pointed out that Compton had been living in a Salvation Army hostel since his arrest, where he reportedly integrated well with other residents and staff. The defense argued that each of the offenses was of a lower level of seriousness, suggesting that a suspended sentence might be appropriate. Nevertheless, the judge made it clear that the gravity of the crimes against the four girls justified imprisonment.

Compton was charged with a total of 14 offenses, including rape and threats to kill. After a trial, he was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. The jury's verdict confirmed the allegations, which had been denied by Compton throughout the trial. The victims, now adults, had to relive their trauma by giving evidence in court, and their statements highlighted the profound and lasting impact of his actions.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Ambrose acknowledged that Compton's good character might mitigate his punishment but stressed that such factors do not diminish the seriousness of these crimes. The judge also ordered Compton to register as a sex offender indefinitely and barred him from working with children in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the long shadow cast by abuse and the importance of justice for victims who have endured such suffering for years in silence.