PETER WELLS SHOCKS CHESHUNT AND ENFIELD WITH 15-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Cheshunt and Enfield, Peter Wells, a 72-year-old former teacher and scout leader, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following his conviction for the sexual abuse of three young boys over a span of nearly two decades.

Wells, who resides on Sheldon Close in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was found guilty on Tuesday, 27 November, at Wood Green Crown Court after a rigorous two-week trial. The court heard that he was responsible for seven counts of indecent assault and five counts of gross indecency, with all offences committed between 1974 and 1992. The victims ranged in age from just eight to thirteen years old at the time of the abuse.

The investigation into Wells’s actions was initiated in March 2017 when one of the victims came forward to report the abuse to police. This initial report prompted a thorough inquiry by the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (CASO) unit. Further investigations uncovered two additional victims, who also cooperated with authorities and provided vital testimonies. These victims subsequently attended police stations in North London, where they participated in video interviews to document their accounts.

The first victim, now in his 50s, recounted that Wells had taken an unhealthy interest in him during his time as a pupil at Keble Preparatory School in Enfield. He described how Wells had sexually abused him on multiple occasions, including during school trips and after athletics sessions, over a period of seven years. The second victim, now in his 40s, revealed that Wells had abused him over four years while he was a student at the same school. He detailed how Wells had inappropriately touched him, placing his hand inside his clothing on numerous occasions.

The third victim, also in his 50s, disclosed that Wells had abused him during his brief tenure as a cub scout leader within the Edmonton district. This victim described how Wells had engaged in sexual misconduct during that period, which was part of his role as a scout leader and athletics coach for Enfield and Haringey Athletics.

Wells was arrested on 24 March 2017. During police interviews, he denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, maintaining his innocence despite the mounting evidence against him.

The court’s sentencing on 7 December will determine the length of Wells’s imprisonment, but the conviction itself underscores the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims. The case has highlighted the importance of vigilance and the need for robust safeguarding measures within educational and youth organizations in the Enfield and Cheshunt areas.