PETER DANIELS OF ALDERBURY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SALISBURY AND WINCHESTER
| Red Rose Database
Alderbury Rapist
In June 2019, Peter Daniels, a 70-year-old man formerly residing in Alderbury, faced a significant legal development when he was re-sentenced following a review initiated by the Police and Crime Commissioner. The review was prompted by concerns that his original sentence was insufficient given the gravity of his crimes. Initially, Daniels had been sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court in February 2019 to serve six life sentences, with a minimum term of nine years before he could be considered for parole. However, the Court of Appeal later deemed this sentence unduly lenient, and on June 12, 2019, he was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison.
Daniels' criminal history is extensive and deeply disturbing. He was convicted of abusing 22 young children over a period spanning from 2008 to 2017. His crimes included a wide range of sexual offences, with the most severe involving the sexual assault of children aged between two and 13. The charges against him culminated in 78 counts, which he pleaded guilty to, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that shocked the local community and the wider public.
The initial sentencing in February 2019 included six life sentences, which are typically reserved for the most heinous offenders, along with an additional 72 jail terms ranging from four months to 16 years, all to be served concurrently. Despite the severity, Daniels was initially told he would only need to serve nine years before being eligible for parole. The discovery of video footage by police, which provided irrefutable evidence of his crimes and identified his victims—some of whom were unaware of the abuse due to their young age or unconscious during the assaults—played a crucial role in the case. The police investigation uncovered a disturbing collection of evidence, including children's toothbrushes and dressing gowns found during a search of his home, which further confirmed the extent of his offending.
Daniels' manipulative tactics included creating a persona called 'Uncle Peter,' which he used to portray himself as a caring and trustworthy figure within the community. He went to great lengths to make his home inviting for children, stocking it with treats, taking children on day trips, buying presents, and giving them money. He also provided babysitting services, picked children up from school, and hosted sleepovers, behaviors that court officials described as classic grooming. His victims ranged in age from two to 13, and his actions were characterized by police as calculated and predatory.
The full extent of Daniels' crimes was only uncovered after his initial conviction. When police searched his residence, they discovered a collection of children's toothbrushes and dressing gowns, which added to the evidence of his ongoing abuse. His criminal activities came to light publicly in December 2018, when he pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to 78 charges related to the sexual abuse of 22 children. The charges included rape, attempted rape, sexual touching, and possession of indecent images. The police and Crown Prosecution Service examined over 4,000 videos and images, which provided conclusive proof of his offending and helped identify his victims. Some victims were too young to comprehend what had happened, having been asleep or unconscious during the assaults.
Daniels' notoriety extended beyond his criminal acts. He was a published author and was well known in Salisbury, having written the Journal’s Scrapbook column until December 2015. His reputation was marred by the revelations of his crimes, which prompted further investigations into possible additional offences. In October 2017, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to 12 sexual offences, including the rape and sexual assault of young girls. During that hearing, it was revealed that Daniels had targeted low-income families, buying presents and offering trips to ingratiate himself with children and their families. Testimonies from victims described how they enjoyed visiting his house, partly because they could stay up late, and in some cases, they had consumed alcohol such as beer, vodka, and cider provided by Daniels.
Mitigation presented by his defense argued that most offences occurred while victims were asleep, and Daniels vehemently denied deliberately creating opportunities for abuse, claiming instead that he took advantage of situations. Nonetheless, Judge Richard Parkes described his behavior as classic grooming and labeled him a menace to children. Daniels was sentenced to 12 years in prison with an extended five-year license period, along with a sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order protecting his victims.
Further investigations in 2017 revealed additional allegations, with 16 other children coming forward with complaints. Police found indecent images and videos on Daniels' devices, including categories of images classified as A, B, and C, depicting child abuse. The investigation into these new allegations was ongoing at the time of sentencing, with prosecutors indicating that the inquiry might not conclude until early the following year. Daniels, who had also been known for his writing and community involvement in Salisbury, faced a serious and ongoing legal process, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the profound impact on his victims.
Daniels' criminal history is extensive and deeply disturbing. He was convicted of abusing 22 young children over a period spanning from 2008 to 2017. His crimes included a wide range of sexual offences, with the most severe involving the sexual assault of children aged between two and 13. The charges against him culminated in 78 counts, which he pleaded guilty to, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that shocked the local community and the wider public.
The initial sentencing in February 2019 included six life sentences, which are typically reserved for the most heinous offenders, along with an additional 72 jail terms ranging from four months to 16 years, all to be served concurrently. Despite the severity, Daniels was initially told he would only need to serve nine years before being eligible for parole. The discovery of video footage by police, which provided irrefutable evidence of his crimes and identified his victims—some of whom were unaware of the abuse due to their young age or unconscious during the assaults—played a crucial role in the case. The police investigation uncovered a disturbing collection of evidence, including children's toothbrushes and dressing gowns found during a search of his home, which further confirmed the extent of his offending.
Daniels' manipulative tactics included creating a persona called 'Uncle Peter,' which he used to portray himself as a caring and trustworthy figure within the community. He went to great lengths to make his home inviting for children, stocking it with treats, taking children on day trips, buying presents, and giving them money. He also provided babysitting services, picked children up from school, and hosted sleepovers, behaviors that court officials described as classic grooming. His victims ranged in age from two to 13, and his actions were characterized by police as calculated and predatory.
The full extent of Daniels' crimes was only uncovered after his initial conviction. When police searched his residence, they discovered a collection of children's toothbrushes and dressing gowns, which added to the evidence of his ongoing abuse. His criminal activities came to light publicly in December 2018, when he pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to 78 charges related to the sexual abuse of 22 children. The charges included rape, attempted rape, sexual touching, and possession of indecent images. The police and Crown Prosecution Service examined over 4,000 videos and images, which provided conclusive proof of his offending and helped identify his victims. Some victims were too young to comprehend what had happened, having been asleep or unconscious during the assaults.
Daniels' notoriety extended beyond his criminal acts. He was a published author and was well known in Salisbury, having written the Journal’s Scrapbook column until December 2015. His reputation was marred by the revelations of his crimes, which prompted further investigations into possible additional offences. In October 2017, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to 12 sexual offences, including the rape and sexual assault of young girls. During that hearing, it was revealed that Daniels had targeted low-income families, buying presents and offering trips to ingratiate himself with children and their families. Testimonies from victims described how they enjoyed visiting his house, partly because they could stay up late, and in some cases, they had consumed alcohol such as beer, vodka, and cider provided by Daniels.
Mitigation presented by his defense argued that most offences occurred while victims were asleep, and Daniels vehemently denied deliberately creating opportunities for abuse, claiming instead that he took advantage of situations. Nonetheless, Judge Richard Parkes described his behavior as classic grooming and labeled him a menace to children. Daniels was sentenced to 12 years in prison with an extended five-year license period, along with a sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order protecting his victims.
Further investigations in 2017 revealed additional allegations, with 16 other children coming forward with complaints. Police found indecent images and videos on Daniels' devices, including categories of images classified as A, B, and C, depicting child abuse. The investigation into these new allegations was ongoing at the time of sentencing, with prosecutors indicating that the inquiry might not conclude until early the following year. Daniels, who had also been known for his writing and community involvement in Salisbury, faced a serious and ongoing legal process, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the profound impact on his victims.