A Solihull-based teacher has been sentenced to 13 years after admitting to non-recent incidents of child sexual abuse. Peter Jenkins (also known as Peter Greenham) used his positions of power and trust as a school teacher and the leader of a church-based holiday club to take advantage of his four victims and survivors, all of whom were children when the offences were committed. Jenkins plead guilty to 15 charges for offences committed between 1984 and 2005.

Jenkins came forward via a solicitor in January 2020 to confess his crimes to the police, triggering an investigation which successfully identified and traced the four victims and survivors. Detective Constable Gemma Rowan from West Midlands Police explained ‘it was important that the women who had been subjected to Jenkins’ abuse were given the opportunity to come forward and talk about their experiences. It is testimony to the strength and power of these women that they supported this successful prosecution and have now been able to see Jenkins locked up for many years.’

Jenkins plead guilty to the following range of offences in Warwick Crown Court:

  • Inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency;

  • Indecent assault;

  • Rape;

  • Sexual assault;

  • Unlawful sexual intercourse.

These crimes, and the associated grooming, carefully targeted at children during vulnerable stages of life, can be traumatic and have long-lasting, scarring effects. Common effects include anxiety, depression, disordered eating, embarrassment, loss of confidence, and PTSD. Some of Jenkins’ targets were groomed for multiple years.

One of his targets was a 12-year-old he befriended during his university years. Another was a 16-year-old who helped with his church-based holiday club and babysat for Jenkins and his wife. Those affected were contacted by West Midlands Police and have been offered support for their experiences.

Jenkins has disclosed that his interest in underage girls started during his teenage years, and persisted through adulthood. Alongside his sentencing on the 13 August, Jenkins was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register, where he will remain for life.

Farleys’ abuse claim specialists have extensive experience of assisting survivors of historic abuse in their search for compensation. We understand that nothing can take away from the trauma experienced as a result of abuse, survivors often gain a sense of closure and can access the necessary treatment as a result of claiming damages. To discuss your claim in confidence with a specialist, please call our dedicated abuse line on 0330 134 6430, contact us by email, or use the online chat below.