PETER GATES CHADWELL HEATH SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT

In a case that has deeply shocked the Chadwell Heath community, Peter Gates, aged 48, has been sentenced to serve time in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The incident took place on November 17, 2012, within the boundaries of Chadwell Heath, a suburb known for its diverse community and quiet residential streets.

Gates, who resides on Elizabeth Avenue, was convicted of a serious sexual assault against the young girl, an act that has left her family and the local community devastated. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing details of the case, which spanned over several years, involving multiple counts of sexual misconduct. Although Gates was found guilty of sexual assault on a child, he was acquitted of the more severe charge of raping the same victim after a lengthy trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

During the sentencing, Judge Martin Zeidman QC addressed the court and the victim’s family, emphasizing the gravity of Gates' actions. The judge acknowledged the profound impact on the young girl, who, in her victim impact statement, expressed her confusion and trauma. She stated, “I did not fully understand what was going on. The night I told my family our world was turned upside down. Every time someone brings him up my throat stops working and I feel like something is stuck in there.”

The court also considered an additional 11 counts of sexual assault, which related to the same girl over a period from when she was six until she was 12 years old. These counts were ordered to remain on the court file, although Gates maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, insisting he had done nothing wrong.

Judge Zeidman sentenced Gates to two years and four months in prison, with the court also ordering him to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The judge highlighted the severity of Gates' misconduct, stating, “You have done something very terrible and the consequences of your actions will last for a very long time. Much longer than the imprisonment that you will suffer.”

Furthermore, the court heard that Gates had attempted to take his own life in February 2013, shortly after his wife filed for divorce amid the allegations of child sexual abuse. This act of desperation underscored the profound personal turmoil caused by the case. The sentencing reflects the court’s recognition of the lasting harm inflicted on the victim and the importance of safeguarding the community from such offenders.