by Keith Hunt

For more than 20 years Daniel Pettipher lived with the guilt of having sexually abused three girls and a woman when he was a young man.

The victims suffered in silence over the years and could not bear to report what had happened to them to the police.

Pettipher finally confessed during a counselling session earlier this year and he was arrested after the police were told.

Now the 39-year-old, of Morgan Drive, Greenhithe, has been jailed for 10 years after admitting one offence of rape, one of indecency with a child and seven of indecent assault.

Patricia May, prosecuting, said the offences were committed between 1988 and 1995.

Pettipher was having counselling in January when he made the confession. The victims were then approached and they revealed what had happened to them.

He molested the young girls and raped one of them. One girl was abused when he was babysitting her.

Mrs May told Maidstone Crown Court that the woman involved had fallen asleep and awoke to find that Pettipher had taken her hand and put it on his private parts.

On another occasion she was asleep and awoke to find Pettipher naked next to her.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said Pettipher told the counsellor he felt ashamed and guilty about what he had done and had lived with it for many years.

“He sought counselling because he needed help for what he had done,” said the judge.

“I find there is genuine remorse. I accept he had a difficult and deprived background, including a period when he was subjected to sexual abuse.

“But for his confession in 2011, which triggered criminal proceedings, the matter would not have come to light at all, because none of the victims reported it.

“It is clear they would not have done so and his revelation has not been welcomed by the complainants.”

Pettipher will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order and his name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for life. He will be banned from working with children under 16.

Judge Macdonald ordered that when released Pettipher should be on licence for the full 10 years.