PETER ROSS FROM CROYDON AND TADWORTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Croydon and Tadworth, Peter Ross, a 56-year-old man with a troubling history, has been sentenced to four years in prison for heinous sexual offenses involving two young girls. The investigation revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years, with Ross actively seeking out indecent images of children online before physically assaulting the victims at his residences.

Ross, a father of two, was found to have engaged in criminal acts against two girls aged under 13, with the abuse occurring between 2003 and 2005. The first victim, who was 12 at the time, was lured into a game by Ross, during which she was made to sit on his lap. It was during these encounters that Ross inappropriately touched her genitals. The second victim, only nine years old at the time, was subjected to sexual touching after Ross partially undressed her by pulling down her jeans and knickers.

The initial report of abuse came in 2006 when the older girl, now 20, disclosed the assault to authorities. However, she later withdrew her allegations, citing her belief that the police did not believe her and her desire to avoid the trauma of a court case. Following her withdrawal, Ross and his family abruptly left their Croydon home, leaving the doors open in their haste to escape the investigation.

It was only last year that detectives reopened the case after the younger victim also came forward to report her abuse. The police tracked Ross to his new residence in Beech Drive, Tadworth, where he was arrested in July 2012. During the arrest, authorities seized his computer, which was found to have been used over a prolonged period to search for and view indecent images of children, revealing a long-standing online interest in child exploitation.

Prosecutor Tom Wilkins addressed the court, emphasizing the severity of Ross’s predatory tendencies: "You have a long-standing sexual interest in children which you indulged in fantasies online and, as we have heard with these two girls, you sometimes put into practice."

During the trial at Croydon Crown Court, Ross denied the allegations, claiming that the victims had fabricated their stories for financial gain. He also attempted to justify the incident with the older girl, asserting that her seeing him naked was due to a sweat problem and not indicative of any inappropriate behavior. Despite his defense, the jury convicted Ross on multiple counts, including three indecent assaults—two against the older girl and one against the younger girl—and six counts of making indecent photographs of children.

Ross was acquitted of the charge of penetrating the older victim’s genitals with his hands. Justice Peter Gower QC sentenced him to two years for each of the assault convictions, with the sentences to run consecutively, and an additional three months for the possession of indecent images, to be served concurrently. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of his offenses and the breach of trust involved in his crimes against vulnerable children.