PETER TERRY OF ILKLEY SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN BRADFORD

In a case that has shocked the community of Ilkley, Peter Terry, a 44-year-old man, was sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in the sexual abuse of a young girl. The heinous nature of his crimes and the manipulative tactics he employed have drawn widespread condemnation from the judiciary and local residents alike.

Peter Terry, who resides at The Gate caravan park on Leeds Road in Ilkley, was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court on multiple charges. The court found him guilty of four counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency. However, he was acquitted of four other allegations that accused him of raping the girl. The verdict reflects the complexity of the case and the careful deliberation of the jury.

During the trial, Terry’s defense lawyer, Peter Topham, highlighted his client’s health issues, including arthritis affecting his spine, and emphasized that Terry had a different side to his character. Topham pointed out that Terry had been known to assist a disabled friend and that his wife had not abandoned him, suggesting a more sympathetic background. Despite these arguments, the judge overseeing the case, Judge Peter Benson, did not find them sufficient to mitigate the severity of the crimes.

Judge Benson described the offences as “wicked” and expressed his outrage at the manipulative methods Terry used to coerce the young girl. The court heard that when the girl threatened to disclose the abuse to her mother, Terry resorted to emotional blackmail, attempting to manipulate her into silence by offering cigarettes as a bribe. This calculated and cruel behavior underscored the gravity of his misconduct.

Peter Terry’s decision to surrender himself to police on January 31 of this year was noted during the proceedings. The judge remarked on the manipulative nature of Terry’s admissions, stating, “Like a lot of people who are paedophiles, you put a wicked and manipulative twist on those admissions.” The judge also condemned Terry as a hypocrite and a vile abuser, praising the young girl for her courage and dignity in recounting her ordeal.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Benson emphasized that only a significant period of imprisonment could reflect the evil of Terry’s actions. As part of the court’s measures to prevent future offenses, Terry was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order with no time limit and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community of Ilkley and beyond.