PETER HAMMOND FROM WEST BRIDGFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL PREDATOR CRIMES INVOLVING CHILD VICTIM

In August 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Peter Hammond, a man from West Bridgford, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a young child. The case revealed a pattern of manipulative and predatory behavior that culminated in a series of serious sexual offenses.

Hammond, aged 62, was found guilty of causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity. The incident in question involved a young girl, who was only four or five years old at the time, and was playing a game of Snakes and Ladders with Hammond. During this seemingly innocent activity, Hammond exploited the child's innocence, leading to inappropriate sexual contact. The young victim, unable to comprehend the gravity of her actions, initially found the experience amusing and did not disclose what had happened for a significant period.

The child's silence was eventually broken when she, overwhelmed with emotion, handed her father a journal that detailed Hammond’s misconduct. This revelation prompted immediate police intervention, leading to Hammond’s arrest and subsequent charges. In addition to the incident involving the game, Hammond was also convicted in July of other serious offenses, including sexual assault of a child under 13. These charges involved him instructing the girl to remove her top and cuddling her, as well as touching her inappropriately over her clothing.

The case was brought before Nottingham Crown Court, where Hammond appeared for sentencing on Friday, August 27. Due to pandemic-related safety measures, he was dressed in a suit and tie and wore a mask. During the proceedings, Paul Mann QC addressed the court regarding the incident involving the game of Snakes and Ladders, stating, “You were targeting and taking advantage of a child who was vulnerable by reason of her age.”

Hammond was sentenced to a total of 68 months in prison. He will serve half of this sentence behind bars, with the remaining time on license. The court also ordered Hammond to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed a sexual harm prevention order for ten years following his release. Additionally, a restraining order was put in place to prevent any contact with the victim.

The victim, now a young girl, provided a heartfelt victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing. She described suffering from nightmares, difficulty trusting others, and challenges in forming friendships. Her words reflected the profound and lasting impact of Hammond’s actions, as she expressed her feelings clearly: “I don’t want any other children to go through this because it is Hell. I hate him with all my heart.”