PETER DRUMMOND FROM THREE MILE CROSS SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN CORNWALL
| Red Rose Database
Three Mile Cross Child Sexual Abuser
In February 2019, a serious case involving Peter Drummond, a police officer employed by the Ministry of Defence, culminated in his conviction and sentencing for heinous sexual misconduct involving a 14-year-old girl from Cornwall. Drummond, aged 38 at the time, was found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court of three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, a crime that has shocked the local community and cast a dark shadow over his professional reputation.
According to court records, Drummond made two separate trips from his residence in West View Terrace, Three Mile Cross, Berkshire, to Cornwall in October and November of 2017. During these visits, he used the popular social media app Snapchat to locate the victim’s address by exploiting the app’s maps feature. Once he identified her location, he proceeded to meet her in person on both occasions, engaging in sexual acts with her. The first encounter involved him entering her home through an unlocked back gate, while during the second visit, he climbed through her bedroom window, even as her stepfather was present in the house.
The jury took only three hours to reach a verdict, convicting Drummond of three counts related to sexual activity with a minor. However, he was acquitted of three additional charges of rape. Throughout the trial, Drummond maintained his innocence, denying the allegations and claiming that the sexual encounters were consensual. He argued that he had no reason to believe the girl was under the age of consent, despite evidence to the contrary.
The court heard that Drummond initially contacted the victim via Kik, an internet chat platform, before their conversations transitioned to Instagram, Skype, and Snapchat. Evidence presented during the trial included DNA analysis, which confirmed his presence in the girl’s room, and financial transactions such as a £30 bank transfer into her account to buy shoes. Additionally, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras tracked his journey to Cornwall, confirming his travel.
When police arrived to arrest Drummond, he did not come down immediately. Instead, he used the opportunity to quickly reset his phone and delete its history, attempting to cover his tracks. The victim’s statement, read aloud in court, revealed the profound impact of his actions. She described feeling broken and having to change schools due to bullying after rumors spread about her. She also recounted her struggles with depression, including an attempt to take her own life.
The victim’s family also suffered significant emotional distress. Her mother was forced to alter her work schedule, working night shifts to stay with her daughter, and her stepfather eventually left the family due to the stress caused by the case. Her mother described her daughter as “utterly destroyed” by the ordeal.
In his defense, lawyer Kaja Reiff Musgrove emphasized Drummond’s previously unblemished character, stating that there was no indication of any other offending behavior or sexual interest in children. She described him as a man of “extreme good character” who had experienced a severe fall from grace, losing his employment and career with the MoD police. She also suggested that his time in custody would serve as a significant punishment, given that he would likely face hostility from other inmates.
Judge Simon Carr delivered the sentence, describing the case as “as shocking as it is depressing.” He condemned Drummond’s actions, highlighting his position as a responsible adult and police officer. The judge pointed out that Drummond had deliberately sought out the victim, a vulnerable girl with psychological issues, and exploited her trust. The judge detailed how Drummond traveled five hours to Cornwall, entered her home when her parents were absent, and engaged in sexual activity, leaving the girl emotionally devastated. The judge emphasized that Drummond’s conduct was premeditated, involving grooming and manipulation, and that he was aware of her underage status from the outset.
Judge Carr concluded by condemning Drummond’s lack of moral integrity, noting that his actions had caused irreparable harm to the victim and her family. As a result, Drummond was sentenced to eight years in prison and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct post-release.
According to court records, Drummond made two separate trips from his residence in West View Terrace, Three Mile Cross, Berkshire, to Cornwall in October and November of 2017. During these visits, he used the popular social media app Snapchat to locate the victim’s address by exploiting the app’s maps feature. Once he identified her location, he proceeded to meet her in person on both occasions, engaging in sexual acts with her. The first encounter involved him entering her home through an unlocked back gate, while during the second visit, he climbed through her bedroom window, even as her stepfather was present in the house.
The jury took only three hours to reach a verdict, convicting Drummond of three counts related to sexual activity with a minor. However, he was acquitted of three additional charges of rape. Throughout the trial, Drummond maintained his innocence, denying the allegations and claiming that the sexual encounters were consensual. He argued that he had no reason to believe the girl was under the age of consent, despite evidence to the contrary.
The court heard that Drummond initially contacted the victim via Kik, an internet chat platform, before their conversations transitioned to Instagram, Skype, and Snapchat. Evidence presented during the trial included DNA analysis, which confirmed his presence in the girl’s room, and financial transactions such as a £30 bank transfer into her account to buy shoes. Additionally, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras tracked his journey to Cornwall, confirming his travel.
When police arrived to arrest Drummond, he did not come down immediately. Instead, he used the opportunity to quickly reset his phone and delete its history, attempting to cover his tracks. The victim’s statement, read aloud in court, revealed the profound impact of his actions. She described feeling broken and having to change schools due to bullying after rumors spread about her. She also recounted her struggles with depression, including an attempt to take her own life.
The victim’s family also suffered significant emotional distress. Her mother was forced to alter her work schedule, working night shifts to stay with her daughter, and her stepfather eventually left the family due to the stress caused by the case. Her mother described her daughter as “utterly destroyed” by the ordeal.
In his defense, lawyer Kaja Reiff Musgrove emphasized Drummond’s previously unblemished character, stating that there was no indication of any other offending behavior or sexual interest in children. She described him as a man of “extreme good character” who had experienced a severe fall from grace, losing his employment and career with the MoD police. She also suggested that his time in custody would serve as a significant punishment, given that he would likely face hostility from other inmates.
Judge Simon Carr delivered the sentence, describing the case as “as shocking as it is depressing.” He condemned Drummond’s actions, highlighting his position as a responsible adult and police officer. The judge pointed out that Drummond had deliberately sought out the victim, a vulnerable girl with psychological issues, and exploited her trust. The judge detailed how Drummond traveled five hours to Cornwall, entered her home when her parents were absent, and engaged in sexual activity, leaving the girl emotionally devastated. The judge emphasized that Drummond’s conduct was premeditated, involving grooming and manipulation, and that he was aware of her underage status from the outset.
Judge Carr concluded by condemning Drummond’s lack of moral integrity, noting that his actions had caused irreparable harm to the victim and her family. As a result, Drummond was sentenced to eight years in prison and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct post-release.