FARMER JAILED FOR REPEATED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD CRUELTY IN EAST YORKSHIRE
A well-respected farmer from Pocklington has been convicted of serious sexual and child cruelty offences.Peter Fletcher, aged 57, from Seaton Ross near Melbourne, was found guilty after a jury deliberation of 10 to 2 on charges of sexual assault and six offences of child cruelty involving two girls and a boy.
Fletcher had repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl, causing her severe emotional trauma, including depression and nightmares, with her stating, "I wanted to die in my sleep." Another victim described him as a "bully" and said, "He stole my childhood," while a boy condemned him as a "horrible man" who had caused him lasting sleep issues and trauma.
Fletcher denied all allegations during his trial, claiming they were fabricated and motivated by jealousy, asserting, "Total lies.
Anybody can make lies up." Despite his assertions, Fletcher was sentenced to six years in prison and received a ten-year restraining order.
The judge acknowledged the impact on the victims, stating, "They have all struggled, all three of them, with their mental health.
They find it difficult to let people in and they push people away." Fletcher's legal history includes previous assault convictions, and his health had deteriorated by the time of sentencing, which he found particularly challenging.
