PETER JONES: HORSE RIDING PREDATOR FROM NORTH WRAXALL AND TROWBRIDGE SENTENCED

In a case that has shocked the local communities of North Wraxall and Trowbridge, Peter Jones, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses against young girls, has been convicted and sentenced for his latest crimes. The 44-year-old, who is currently on early release from a six-year prison term, was handed a suspended sentence by Swindon Crown Court, a decision that underscores the ongoing concerns about his rehabilitation and the risk he poses to children.

Jones’s criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling. He was previously convicted of indecently touching girls as young as six, while assisting them with riding lessons. His offending spanned from 1999 to 2006, during which he assaulted a total of six girls aged between six and 13. Some of these assaults were repeated, and they all took place on his farm in Wiltshire. His pattern of predatory behavior revealed a disturbing tendency to target vulnerable young girls, exploiting his position of trust within the community.

The latest allegations involve a girl who was just 12 years old at the time. The incident occurred in the late 1990s, when the girl, an avid horserider, frequently visited the stables operated by Jones and his mother at North Wraxall. Over the course of three years, Jones repeatedly subjected her to sexual abuse within and around his Mountain Bower yard. The details of these offenses emerged during the court proceedings, leading to Jones’s guilty plea on four counts of indecent assault.

On December 20, the court sentenced Jones to a 24-month jail term, suspended for a year, with no additional requirements at that time. This sentence came despite the fact that Jones had yet to begin an extended license period from his previous six-year sentence, which was handed down in 2009. That earlier conviction was for similar offenses, and the court had previously recognized him as a significant risk of future sexual offending.

In April 2009, Jones was jailed for six years after being found guilty of opening a riding school with the sole purpose of luring and abusing young girls. Despite lacking formal training or experience with horses, Jones converted his land into a livery yard and stables in North Wraxall, which he used to attract young girls interested in riding. He actively discouraged boys from using the facilities, further indicating his predatory intent. The court heard that Jones indecently touched girls as young as six while helping them into their saddles, and he engaged in further sexual misconduct, including rubbing his genitals against a 10-year-old girl.

His criminal activities came to light after one of his victims reported the abuse. Jones was charged with 15 counts of indecent assault on children under 13 and four counts of sexual activity with a child. During the sentencing, Judge Mark Horton described Jones as a “danger to young girls,” emphasizing that he had deliberately created an environment that facilitated his access to vulnerable children. The judge also noted Jones’s predatory behavior, grooming young girls to accept increasing levels of sexual abuse, and warned that he would remain a threat in the future.

Jones’s defense team claimed he felt remorse for his actions, but the court’s decision reflected the severity of his crimes. As part of his sentence, Jones was banned from working with children and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The case has left a lasting impact on the communities of North Wraxall and Trowbridge, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding against individuals who abuse positions of trust for their own predatory purposes.