Peter Bunney, a resident of Cornwall, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and is required to register as a sex offender for life following his conviction in a trial for many rapes and sexual offences against five youngsters.
Peter Bunney, 46, currently homeless but previously associated with the Truro, Redruth, and Camborne regions, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court by Judge Simon Carr on Friday, September 27.
During his trial at the same court, a jury convicted Peter Bunney of two counts of indecent assault on a child, five counts of sexual assault by penetration on a child under 13, seven counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of rape, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity with a child.
During the trial the court heard how Peter Bunney’s offending was first investigated in 2006 after two children reported how they had been touched sexually by Bunney. Bunney also made the children touch him sexually.
The allegation was investigated but there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution at that time.
The court heard how in 2020 police were contacted by two parents reporting the historical rape of their daughter by Peter Bunney. The victim spoke to officers and described how she was sexually abused numerous times by Peter Bunney. This included sexual touching and rape, with Bunney saying he would pay the victim if she let him do it again.
Following this victim’s report another woman was spoken to by police and disclosed an incident of sexual touching from Peter Bunney when she was a child. Officers then spoke to a further complainant who spoke of how when she was around eight years old Bunney exposed himself in front of her which resulted in Bunney being confronted.
As a result of the 2020 investigation against Peter Bunney, the victims who had reported being abused by him in 2006 were approached and again provided an account of what had happened. One of the girls added that Peter Bunney raped her on several occasions.
Another victim was further identified when Peter Bunney showed officers indecent images of children on his phone.
She was approached and said that in 2019, Peter Bunney abused her in a swimming pool changing room. Following further disclosure and investigation, Peter Bunney was charged with two further offences of rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault by penetration.
One of Peter Bunney’s brave victims stood up in court today and read a statement in which she explained the profound effects the abuse she received at the hands of Bunney had had on her.
She told the court how she never thought she’d see the day when Peter Bunney would finally be sent to prison and his victims finally received the justice they deserve. She added: “I have attempted to take my own life once to end the pain and suffering. My scars on my skin reflect the journey I have been on.”
Addressing Peter Bunney she added: “I have been so incredibly angry over the years. How is it that for so many years you’ve led a normal life and that I’ve been hurting and that it has taken such a long time to come to this. There can never be forgiveness for what you put me through.”
Defending Peter Bunney, Ryan Murray, said nothing he could ever say would take away what Peter Bunney has done, adding that the people named on the indictment are the victims, not Peter Bunney. He said Peter Bunney sexually abused these girls and they were telling the truth for which there is no greater validation than the guilty verdict Peter Bunney received.
Mr Murray said that while Peter Bunney did not have the courage to admit his offences, he at least had the courage to come to court to face his victims and the lengthy prison sentence he would no doubt receive.
He added: “He’s a socially isolated individual who has operated on the greater margins of society. His first memory of life was not a happy one when his head was banged into a table and he was bullied. He couldn’t read or write properly until he was a teen. With no formal education his options in life were limited. He shattered his ankle in an industrial accident in 2003 when he fell 18ft which left him with physical and mental limitations.”
Mr Murray added that when Peter Bunney’s newborn son died in his arms not yet a day old, “his life fell into the abyss”, and that his current partner and their child would now be left with little support as he is sent to prison.
His Honour Judge Simon Carr described Peter Bunney as an “entrenched sexual predator who targeted very young girls and sexually abused them for his own gratification for many years”.
He added: “Your abuse could have been stopped much earlier in 2006 but that led to no further action being taken. As a result you continued your abuse so confidently that you thought you’d never be charged or convicted.”
Judge Carr sentenced Peter Bunney to 25 years in prison. After the hearing DC Heather Tippett, the officer in the case, said: “I welcome the sentence issued today to Peter Bunney, after a four-year complex investigation.
“I have nothing but admiration for the victims in this case, as without their courage, strength, dignity and continued engagement throughout this investigation, we would not have been able to achieve this result.
“I hope this case demonstrates how seriously the police take this type of offending and sends a strong message to those committing such horrific offences against children, the result of which leaves a profound and lasting effect on its victims.”
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