As we reported in our blog published on the 8th July, Peter Holmes has recently been on trial for historic sexual offences committed during the course of his employment as a teacher at Malsis school.
Following a six-week trial which began on April 19th, Holmes was ultimately found guilty of 28 offences against young victims. He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Friday 16th September 2022.
Holmes received a sentenced of 12 years imprisonment, along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a place on the Register of Sex Offenders for the rest of his life.
Complaints against Holmes first came to light in the 1990s, however, he moved to Taiwan shortly after leaving Malsis School. Years later, following various police reports, several interviews and witness statements, the CPS authorised various charges against him. Holmes failed to attend the initial court hearing, following which he was arrested and the case was moved to Skipton Magistrates Court.
Holmes pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates Court and the case was sent to Bradford Crown Court for trial.
Detective Constable Alison Morris has spoken out about the case: ‘It has been proved that Peter Andrew Holmes is a systematic child abuser who used his position of authority as a teacher to prey on the victims who have bravely pursued justice against him.’
‘His reign of abuse at Malsis School spanned three decades. He has caused an enormous amount of trauma for the victims which they have endured from childhood through to the present day.’
‘I truly hope the conclusion of this case, with Holmes finally brought to justice and serving a significant prison sentence, they can begin to look to a future with hope and happiness in their lives.’
Our Abuse and Inquests team at Farleys conduct civil claims on behalf of survivors of abuse, often following on from police convictions. Whilst criminal prosecutions bring survivors of abuse comfort and relief, civil claims help to compensate for the loss suffered and allow survivors to access vital support/ treatment.
In cases where a teacher has abused a pupil, we often bring claims against the school who employed the teacher. The school/ education authority are vicariously liable for the teacher’s actions against the pupil and this can often be the most reliable way of ensuring that the victim is compensated.
Our team is highly experienced in this area and has been successful in securing valuable compensation for many victims of abuse at the hands of a teacher. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse we are available to discuss this with you. Our dedicated team support hundreds of survivors throughout the civil process, treating every case with sensitivity, confidentiality and integrity.
Contact us in confidence on our dedicated abuse line on 0330 134 6430, by email, or through the online chat below.
