Judge gives warning to sexual offender

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 7

Judge gives warning to sexual offender

If the accused committed any further sexual offences it was likely that he would be sentenced to preventive detention — an indefinite prison term, Mr Justice Williamson said in the High Court yesterday. His Honour gave that warning to Thomas Ashley Peach, aged 45, a labourer, when he jailed him for three years on a charge of sexual violation of a girl, aged 16, on May 8.

For Peach, Mr N.igel Dunlop said that his client lacked insight into his offence, for which he could offer no explanation. Twenty years ago Peach had committed two offences of a related nature, but none since.

Throughout the 1970 s Peach had a number of convictions for offences of dishonesty, but none since Junel9Bo.

He was described by the probation officer as. a simple man with simple pleasures who was very regretful for the hurt he had caused. Alcohol had

been involved. The offence fell well short of rape and could be described as sexual interference, and when the girl returned to Peach’s flat to spend the night she was not distressed. He was not able to take her home because he was intoxicated and tired. She spent the rest of the night on the couch as she had no means of getting home. Although the girl was not physically harmed, it was an upsetting experience for her, said Mr Dunlop, who submitted that the court was, not bound to impose a prison term. . Mr Mark Zarif eh, for’ the Crown, said that the girl had suffered emotional stress. Mr Justice Williamson said that Peach had taken the girl to a secluded spot and in spite of her protests, had put his fingers in her vagina. The girl had no option but to stay in Peach’s flat that night. He claimed

that the girl had led him on, and that it had been her idea to go to the secluded spot. Peach had convictions some 20 years ago for sexual intercourse with a girl, aged between 12 and 16, and a year later he was convicted of attempted rape and was jailed for two years. Later he spent some time in Sunnyside Hospital. The probation officer said that Peach had a simple life style and was seemingly content with his limited lot.

A great deal of publicity had been given to this type of offence recently and to rulings by the Court of Appeal, said his Honour.