PETER TWEED'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN RAMSEY AND CAMBRIDGE: LIFE SENTENCE INCREASED AFTER NEW VICTIM COMES FORWARD

In November 2017, the case of Peter Tweed, a man notorious for his violent and predatory behavior, took a significant turn as his sentence was extended following the emergence of a new victim. Tweed, who previously resided in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, had already been serving a life sentence after admitting to a series of heinous crimes against two young sisters. His initial conviction was the result of decades of systematic abuse, which had left deep scars on his victims and shocked the local community.

At the age of 59, Tweed’s criminal history was extensive. He had been convicted in January 2006 of 13 counts of rape, six of indecency with a child, two indecent assaults, and one charge of causing actual bodily harm. His crimes against the two sisters, which began when they were just children, involved coercion, violence, and control, with Tweed exerting complete dominance over their lives. The abuse started when the victims were approximately 8 and 12 years old, and continued over many years, with Tweed even fathering two children with one of the victims.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Tweed’s behavior was not only violent but also deeply manipulative. He kept the girls imprisoned in a flat, often locking them inside and taking the keys when he left. To monitor their movements, he installed a CB radio system between his home and the flat, calling at all hours to ensure they remained inside. The victims endured relentless psychological and physical abuse, with Tweed using nicknames like “slag” and “bitch” to demean them. He also rented hardcore videos for the girls to watch, further degrading their innocence.

One of the sisters managed to escape at the age of 18, but the other was forced to continue her abusive relationship with Tweed into her mid-30s, during which he fathered her two children. The victim who escaped eventually found the courage to contact her sister after losing 10 stone through a slimming club, which boosted her confidence. Together, they devised a plan to confront Tweed, leading to his arrest in June 2004. The police investigation uncovered the extent of Tweed’s brutality and control, revealing a pattern of escalating sexual depravity and violence.

In the latest developments, a new victim came forward, providing evidence of additional crimes committed by Tweed. This led to his conviction for rape and indecent assault against a third individual, which resulted in his sentence being increased by an additional seven and a half years. During the sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court, Tweed appeared via video link, dressed in a grey jumper and wearing glasses. Prosecutor Wayne Cleaver highlighted the profound and lasting impact of Tweed’s actions, emphasizing that the victim’s life had been profoundly affected emotionally, physically, and mentally. The victim, now in his 40s, described how Tweed had robbed him of his childhood, trust, and ability to form healthy relationships, suffering from stress, anxiety, and PTSD as a result.

Defense lawyer Jamie Hamilton pointed out that there was a significant gap between the commission of the offenses and their discovery, noting Tweed’s poor health, including osteoporosis and high blood pressure, and his incarceration since 2006. The judge, Recorder Martin Oldham, described Tweed’s conduct as “very, very unpleasant” and acknowledged the long-term damage inflicted on his victims. While he did not classify Tweed as a dangerous offender at this stage, he condemned his actions as “persistent and perverted,” emphasizing the devastating effects on the victims’ lives.

Historically, Tweed’s crimes against the two sisters involved coercion, violence, and sexual exploitation, beginning when the victims were as young as 12 and 13. The court heard that Tweed’s behavior was characterized by bullying, control, and violence, with him forcing the girls to watch adult videos and engaging in increasingly degrading acts. One sister managed to escape, but the other remained under Tweed’s control for years, during which he fathered her children and kept her imprisoned in a flat, often locking her inside and monitoring her with a tape recorder and keys.

The police investigation was triggered when the victim, who had lost weight through a slimming club, contacted her sister after 20 years of silence. The sister secretly recorded Tweed’s confessions during a staged argument, revealing the extent of his abuse. The court heard how Tweed’s behavior was not only violent but also deeply manipulative, with him forcing the girls into acts of increasing sexual depravity and using violence to maintain control. His actions were described as a systematic campaign of abuse that devastated the lives of his victims for many years.

Judge Nicholas Coleman sentenced Tweed to life imprisonment for the 13 rapes, with a minimum tariff of six and a half years, and additional terms for indecency and assault charges. He ordered Tweed to register as a sex offender and banned him from working with children. The judge condemned Tweed’s conduct as “repulsive” and highlighted the long-lasting trauma inflicted on his victims, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for future victims. The police and prosecution expressed hope that the victims would now be able to rebuild their lives with the support of their families and community, after enduring such horrific abuse at the hands of Peter Tweed in Ramsey and Cambridge.