PETER SIDEBOTTOM'S SHOCKING CRIME IN MANCHESTER: WOMAN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED ON CHRISTMAS EVE

In December 2020, Peter Sidebottom, aged 34, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting his wife’s closest friend in Manchester. The case was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court, where harrowing details of the incident were revealed, shedding light on a disturbing act committed during a festive season.

According to court proceedings, the assault took place on Christmas Eve in 2018. The victim, who was a close friend of Sidebottom’s wife, had gone out drinking that evening with her best friend, Peter, and two other acquaintances. As the night progressed and they faced difficulties in finding a taxi home, the group was offered a place to stay at Sidebottom’s residence, as they had a spare room available. The victim accepted the offer, seeking comfort and safety after a long night out.

Later that night, the woman went to bed and fell asleep. However, her rest was abruptly disturbed when she awoke to find Peter Sidebottom engaging in inappropriate physical contact. She reported that he was touching her private parts and groping her body without her consent. The woman was understandably shocked and frightened by the sudden invasion of her personal space. She immediately screamed, which caused Sidebottom to quickly apologise, claiming he thought she was his wife. He then left the room, leaving her distressed and shaken.

Following the incident, the woman remained awake for the rest of the night, overwhelmed by trauma and confusion. The next morning, she decided to leave the house immediately, catching a taxi to distance herself from the scene. She grappled with whether to disclose what had happened, fearing that revealing the assault might ruin Christmas celebrations or damage her friend’s marriage, which her friend was very proud of. Ultimately, she chose to confide in her friend, believing she owed her the truth. After Christmas, they arranged to meet at a café where she recounted the assault, hoping for understanding and support.

However, her friend refused to believe her account, dismissing her claims and continuing to defend her husband. When confronted, Sidebottom broke down in tears and issued an apology, but he insisted he could not remember anything about that night. The fallout from the incident led to the breakdown of the once-close friendship between the two women. The friend believed that the victim was attempting to sabotage her marriage, further complicating the emotional aftermath.

In March 2019, the victim decided to report the matter to the police, stating that she could no longer remain silent about what had happened. She expressed her fears that Sidebottom might go on to harm others and felt a moral obligation to speak out. Her courage in coming forward was driven by a desire to prevent further abuse and to seek justice.

Following Sidebottom’s conviction, the victim described a sense of relief, stating that it felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She publicly urged other victims of abuse to come forward, emphasizing that no one should suffer in silence. Her message was clear: speaking out is essential to ensuring offenders are held accountable and that others are protected from similar harm. Her case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing sexual assault and supporting survivors in their pursuit of justice.