Oswaldtwistle rapist jailed for 44 sex offences

Peter Barnes, 57, has been charged with 44 sexual offences, some as late as 2023 and others dating back to the late 1990s.

Barnes’ youngest victim was between nine and eleven years old when he raped and sexually abused her.

He pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault. After a trial, he was convicted of:

• 12 cases of indecent behavior towards a child
• Six cases of indecent assault
• Four cases of rape
• Two cases of inducing or inciting a child to engage in sexual acts
• Eight cases of sexual acts with a child
• Two cases of assault by penetration
• Five cases of sexual assault
• Three cases of sexual abuse of a child under 13 years of age
• A case of attempted rape

Barnes initially denied all offenses but pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault in July 2023.

After a trial in June 2024, he was found guilty of the remaining 43 sexual offenses.

In October 2022, a woman reported to police that Barnes had sexually abused her as a child. During the subsequent investigation and prosecution, other women came forward to speak about the sexual abuse they had suffered at his hands.

Alex Mann, senior prosecutor at CPS North West, said: “Barnes is a sex offender who has targeted and abused children aged nine and over.”

“He showed no remorse and, by failing to take responsibility for his actions, he forced his victims to relive their ordeals in court, exacerbating the severe trauma his actions had caused.

“Thanks to the women who supported the prosecution, we, along with our colleagues at Lancashire Police, were able to build a strong body of evidence proving Barnes’ predatory, manipulative sexual offences against the five children and two women.

“I can only hope that now that Barnes is incarcerated, the women can move on with their lives.”

Barnes, of Central Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, was sentenced to 24 years in prison, suspended for six years.

He was also given a lifetime sexual assault prevention order and was required to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

DC Hazel Richardson, of the East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said after his sentencing last week: “Barnes is a predatory individual who deliberately exploited vulnerable children and adults for his own perverse sexual interests.

“These victims have suffered life-altering trauma as a result of Barnes’ conduct, which has impacted their physical and mental well-being into adulthood.

“They showed incredible courage, first by going public and then reliving their ordeals by testifying in court. The jury rightly saw through Barnes’ web of lies and held him accountable for his abhorrent conduct.

“I hope that the outcome of this case encourages other victims to come forward, knowing that they will be believed and listened to and that we will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrator to justice.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual crime, report it online or call 101.