PETER AND JOHN MACKENZIE FROM COVENTRY AND ISLE OF LEWIS SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD ABUSE IN LEICESTER

In a case that has spanned several decades and crossed multiple locations, two brothers, Peter Mackenzie and John Mackenzie, have been convicted of serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl during the 1970s. The crimes, which took place in Leicester, have only come to light after the victim reported the abuse in March 2017, leading to a comprehensive investigation and subsequent court proceedings.

John Mackenzie, aged 60 and residing in Pondthorpe, Coventry, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the abuse. His convictions include five counts of indecency with a child, three counts of rape, and two counts of indecent assault. Following a trial held in March, he was sentenced on Monday, April 29, to a term of 14 years in prison. The court heard that the abuse began when the victim was still a child and persisted until she was approximately 14 years old.

Meanwhile, Peter Mackenzie, aged 57 and from Borve, Isle of Lewis, was also convicted of numerous offenses. His convictions encompass six counts of indecent assault, six counts of indecency with a child, five counts of rape, and one count of causing actual bodily harm. The judge sentenced him to 16 years behind bars. The court proceedings revealed that the abuse by both brothers started in Leicester during the 1970s, with the victim being subjected to their misconduct over an extended period.

The victim, who has now reached adulthood, courageously came forward in 2017 to report the abuse, which had remained hidden for decades. The investigation that followed uncovered the extent of the brothers' misconduct, leading to their convictions in March 2019 at Leicester Crown Court. The case highlights the importance of perseverance in seeking justice for victims of historical abuse, and the sentences reflect the severity of the crimes committed by the Mackenzie brothers in locations spanning Coventry, Leicester, and the Isle of Lewis.