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Folkestone paedophile’s abuse of young girl was ‘planned, premeditated and predatory’

A dangerous rapist jailed after he posed as a taxi driver to carry out sex attacks on an unconscious teenager has now been handed more years behind bars for unrelated abuse of a young girl.

Depraved Peter Wrotchford, from Folkestone, who was previously locked up for 18 years, was told by a judge he was a "victim-blaming, sexually-preoccupied predator" with no remorse, empathy or insight.

Peter Wrotchford was previously jailed for posing as a taxi driver to carry out sex attacks on an unconscious teenager
Peter Wrotchford was previously jailed for posing as a taxi driver to carry out sex attacks on an unconscious teenager

Canterbury Crown Court heard that the 48-year-old targeted and groomed his latest victim before molesting her.

He then sinisterly warned her not to tell anyone or there "would be consequences".

But the brave child did reveal the abuse and used Play-Doh to demonstrate to police the horrors she endured at Wrotchford's hands.

She also recalled how the paedophile abused her while ignoring her protests, and she would be left feeling "annoyed, sad and scared".

The former Army soldier and community volunteer was arrested and during a search of his home officers found a container marked "Peter's Memory Box" under his bed.

Peter Wrotchford, from Cheriton, Folkestone, sexually assaulted a young girl
Peter Wrotchford, from Cheriton, Folkestone, sexually assaulted a young girl

Inside were a number of sex toys including a rubber replica of a small child's torso.

The sex offender, previously of Ashley Avenue, Cheriton, denied abusing the youngster but following a trial in April this year he was convicted of two offences of assault by penetration.

He appeared for sentence on Friday where the court was told how the name 'Pete' would trigger his victim to such an extent that she even had to stop watching a children's TV programme because she became "inconsolable" when she heard that moniker.

But in a moving impact statement read to the court, the girl revealed she was "now living her best life" and looking forward to the future.

The abuse pre-dated Wrotchford's abduction and rape of a drunk young woman in September 2022.

He had prowled Folkestone in a van to which he had fixed magnetic signs to give the false impression he was a cab driver.

Having then tricked the lone teenager into thinking he was taking her home, she was subjected to repeated sex attacks over four hours before she woke in a state of undress and not knowing where she was.

Wrotchford again denied the offences, claiming they had had consensual sex, but a jury at the same court saw through his lies at a trial in February last year.

Two months later he was handed an extended sentence consisting of an 18-year jail term, of which he must serve at least two-thirds, with a four-year additional licence period.

His latest sentencing hearing was told the disabled pervert continues to deny his offending, telling his family "the truth will come out".

Wrotchford was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court
Wrotchford was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court

He even claimed that his child victim was not only lying but also "sexually advanced for her age" and had tried to kiss him.

However, prosecutor Laurence Imrie said she detailed with the use of the modelling substance how he would abuse her.

"She said it made her sad and she told him to stop," he told the court. "She explained it was 'annoying and hurt'.

"The victim was told (by Wrotchford) it was their secret, she wasn't allowed to tell anyone and there would be consequences if she did."

In her impact statement, she wrote how she now tries to "ignore and forget" her ordeal.

"He did some awful things to me that I don't want to ever speak about again. In court, they believed what I said and not Pete," she said.

"I think I just ignored it all after it happened. I just put it to the back of my brain. I forget about it and don't want to think about it all.

"I have the best life ever now. That part of my life is finished and I'm looking forward to all the good times I will have in the future."

Appearing via video link with HMP Swaleside, Wrotchford was said by his lawyer to find prison life "particularly difficult" due to his reliance on a wheelchair when out of his cell.

Kieran Brand, defending, said it was hoped that "much rehabilitation" would have taken place during the lengthy time he would have to serve behind bars.

Peter Wrotchford is behind bars at HMP Swaleside. Picture: Kent Police
Peter Wrotchford is behind bars at HMP Swaleside. Picture: Kent Police

But having concluded Wrotchford still poses a high risk of serious harm to the public, particularly children, Judge Sarah Counsell ordered that a second extended sentence was necessary.

Jailing him for six years with an additional two-year licence period, she told the paedophile the abuse was "planned, premeditated and predatory".

Furthermore, his offending demonstrated a targeting of victims due to their age, size or being unable to consent.

"It is clear from what you told the author of the pre-sentence report that you continue to deny the offences and you provided possible reasons for her making false allegations," she told Wrotchford.

"Your family members think it is disgusting what the justice system has done because you keep telling them the truth will come out. You fail to take responsibility."

She added she had concluded he was dangerous due to his "unequivocal denial, sexual preoccupation, the predatory nature of his offending and targeting of vulnerable victims".

"You don't accept you have done anything wrong, you lack empathy for your victims and you continue to deny the offences," the judge said.

The sentence imposed was ordered to be served consecutively and will therefore only start once Wrotchford has reached the two-thirds minimum of his 18-year jail term.

Again, he will then be required to serve two-thirds of the custodial element of six years.

On release he will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements and sexual harm prevention order conditions restricting contact with children under 16.

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