PETER SCOTT FROM COLWALL SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN WORCESTER

In a case that has shocked the local community of Colwall, Peter Scott, an 87-year-old resident and long-standing member of the church, has been sentenced to prison for serious sexual offences dating back to the 1970s. The incident involved a girl who was a teenager at the time, and the case came to a conclusion at Worcester Crown Court after Scott pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault.

Scott, a former chartered surveyor residing on Stone Lane in Colwall, near Malvern, changed his plea to guilty on the day of the scheduled trial, as revealed by prosecutor Simon Burns during the sentencing hearing. The court was informed that Scott would be required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, until he reaches the age of 97.

The victim, who is now in her 50s and cannot be publicly identified due to legal restrictions, expressed relief upon learning that Scott had accepted responsibility for his actions without the need for a trial. Mr. Burns emphasized that the victim had endured the trauma for many years, and her decision to accept Scott’s guilty plea brought some closure to her ordeal.

During the proceedings, a probation report was presented which indicated that Scott, a widower, was unlikely to cooperate with any rehabilitation programs. The report highlighted that Scott had not acknowledged any wrongdoing despite his guilty plea, raising concerns about his willingness to engage in efforts to address his behavior.

Lisa Hancox, representing Scott, argued that it would be a “real shame” if her client, given his advanced age and previously good character, was sent to prison. She suggested that alternative measures might be more appropriate, stating, “A prison sentence will not change his attitude,” and advocating for work to be done to help him understand the harm caused.

Hancox also noted Scott’s active involvement in his church community, where he had been helping at a church playgroup. She mentioned that church members had written references supporting him and had even accompanied him to court. However, she acknowledged that Scott had since ceased his church activities and that some neighbors had cut off contact with him.

The defense highlighted Scott’s health issues, including hearing difficulties and heart problems, and described the prospect of imprisonment as “terrifying” for him. The judge, Nicholas Cartwright, responded that Scott was unlikely to comply with community-based orders, which led to the decision that an immediate custodial sentence was necessary.

Ultimately, Scott was sentenced to eight months in prison. Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibits him from having unsupervised contact or communication with girls under 16 and restricts his use of computers for the next ten years, aiming to prevent any further harm.