PETER DUNSBY LONGSTANTON PAEDOPHILE RAPIST SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR DECADES OF SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has spanned over several decades, Peter Dunsby, a 76-year-old resident of Badgers Holt in Longstanton, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences. The lengthy investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse that dates back as far as 1964, with the most recent offence occurring in 2000.

According to court records, Dunsby was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and 19 counts of indecent assault. The victims, all girls aged between 6 and 16 at the time of the offences, endured their suffering over a span of more than three decades. The crimes took place in Hertfordshire, with the earliest incident reported in 1964 and the latest in 2000, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

The case came to light when one victim came forward in 2011, reporting an incident that occurred in 2000. This initial disclosure prompted a comprehensive investigation by Hertfordshire police, involving specialist officers trained in handling historic sexual offences. As a result, additional victims were identified, revealing a series of unreported crimes committed by Dunsby over the years.

Details of the offences include a rape that took place between 1971 and 1972, another between 1981 and 1986, and an attempted rape between 1970 and 1972. The counts of indecent assault were described by police as specimen charges, indicating a pattern of ongoing misconduct rather than isolated incidents. These charges reflect a disturbing course of conduct that spanned multiple years and involved multiple victims.

Det Sgt Sue Warren, from Hertfordshire police’s child protection and investigation unit, expressed her support for the sentence, emphasizing the department’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long ago the offences occurred. She stated, “Hertfordshire Constabulary has a dedicated team of officers with experience of dealing with historic offences. We will robustly investigate and bring to justice offenders, no matter how long ago the offences occurred, to ensure children continue to be safeguarded from harm.”

The case of Dunsby follows recent high-profile convictions of other offenders in the region, including Gavin Randall of Kingsway, Arbury, who was jailed for three years after raping a boy under 13, and David Carter of St Mary’s Walk, Steeple Bumpstead, who is currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted of raping or assaulting young girls as young as 6 or 7. These cases underscore the ongoing efforts of Hertfordshire police to combat sexual abuse and protect vulnerable children from harm.