PETER EDGE SHOCKS WAVERTREE WITH HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE AT WEST LANCASHIRE RESIDENCE

In April 2022, a deeply disturbing case unfolded involving Peter Edge, a 62-year-old man from Wavertree, whose betrayal has left a community in shock. Edge, who was serving as the director of a respite care organization dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities, was accused of heinous acts against a vulnerable young woman with Down's Syndrome, known only as Jane. The family of Jane, who trusted Edge implicitly, now faces the devastating reality of his actions.

Edge’s position within the care sector had been viewed as trustworthy, providing much-needed relief for parents and carers of individuals with disabilities. However, this trust was shattered when the abuse was uncovered. The incident came to light when Jane’s father, upon entering their family home, discovered a horrifying scene: Edge had exposed himself via a video call while Jane was present. This revelation prompted an immediate investigation by Lancashire Police.

Authorities uncovered that Edge had sexually assaulted Jane at the West Lancashire respite centre, a facility where he was supposed to be providing care and support. The assault reportedly occurred during a period when the centre was unoccupied, a time Edge exploited, knowing that other staff members and service users were not present. The abuse was particularly egregious because it happened on the very first day Jane was allowed out of her home after shielding due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when she was supposed to be enjoying a brief respite from her usual routines.

According to reports, Edge had taken Jane to a local park, ostensibly to maintain social distancing, but he was aware that the centre was empty, which facilitated his misconduct. The severity of the betrayal was compounded by the fact that Jane’s parents had no suspicion of his actions until the moment they discovered the video incident. The young woman was later required to recount what had happened to specially trained officers, a process that caused her significant stress and embarrassment.

During the court proceedings, Judge Heather Lloyd described Edge as a remorseless and manipulative individual who posed a serious threat to the public. She emphasized the importance of the father’s intervention, stating, “It is a blessing that [Jane’s dad] saw what you were doing. Had he not, who knows how long you would have gotten away with this criminal behaviour towards his daughter. She may have enjoyed the attention you were showing her… but she did not understand the gravity of what you had done to her.”

Jane’s mother bravely read a victim personal statement in court, detailing the profound impact of Edge’s crimes on their family. She explained how her daughter’s life had been irrevocably changed, losing her social network and the ability to attend respite care or meet friends, which was devastating for everyone involved. The emotional toll was evident, as she asked the prosecutor, Richard Haworth, to finish reading her statement when she became overwhelmed.

The family’s ordeal was compounded by the discovery that Edge’s offending was ongoing from the very first day Jane was allowed out of her home. Her mother recounted feeling physically sick upon learning the full extent of the abuse, and her father, who rarely shows emotion, was seen crying in court. The family has since struggled to find suitable alternative respite care for Jane and mourned the loss of her grandfather, who passed away before justice could be served.

In court, Jane’s mother expressed her disbelief and heartbreak, stating, “I find it hard to digest that the person I trusted with Jane violated her in the sickest way. It’s hard to believe anyone could take advantage of Jane, especially someone I considered a friend, someone I allowed into our home to care for her and protect her while I was not there.”

Edge admitted to two lesser charges but denied raping Jane. The family endured a lengthy trial, which Jane’s mother described as a “horrendous ordeal.” Edge claimed he felt “disgusted” with himself for acting inappropriately but insisted he did not commit rape. However, the jury saw through his lies and convicted him of rape, sexual assault, and related offences.

During the trial, Jane’s father was too angry and upset to attend Edge’s testimony, while her mother endured the proceedings, describing her feelings of disbelief and disgust. She recounted how hearing Edge’s evidence made her feel as if she was watching someone else’s trial, yet every mention of Jane’s name brought her back to the painful reality that her daughter was the victim.

Judge Heather Lloyd sentenced Edge to an extended term of 15 years in prison, with an additional two years on licence. The sentence mandates that Edge must serve at least two-thirds of his term—equating to 10 years—before being considered for parole, rather than being eligible for automatic release at the halfway point. This decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the community’s need for justice and protection.