Peter Gibbs

Peter Gibbs, a 60-year-old former school bus driver from Carterton, Oxfordshire, has been sentenced to eight years and seven months in prison for a series of child sexual offences spanning over two decades. The case, heard at Oxford Crown Court, involved both historic abuses from the early 2000s and more recent incidents uncovered in 2022.

The historic offences, which occurred in the early 2000s, included two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape against a 14-year-old girl. These assaults took place in Gibbs' car and on a bus where he worked as a driver. The victim first reported the rape to her GP in August 2001, leading to an initial police investigation. However, the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed the case at the time, and Gibbs was not charged. The matter was reopened in May 2022 after the now-adult victim was re-contacted by police following new developments.

In addition to the historic charges, Gibbs pleaded guilty to one count of sexual communication with a child and one count of making indecent images of a child. These related to incidents in 2022, when six naked photographs of a 13-year-old girl were found on his device. The case came to light after a school reported in February 2021 that Gibbs, then employed as the authority's bus driver, had been messaging a 15-year-old student. This prompted his arrest and the subsequent discovery of the images.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Gledhill addressed Gibbs directly, stating: "You ought to be thoroughly disgusted with yourself." Victim impact statements were read in court, highlighting the profound effects of Gibbs' actions. The adult victim wrote: "Peter Gibbs ruined my life. After it happened, I couldn’t go back to school. I was extremely embarrassed. I felt my parents were disappointed in me. What he did to me affects me on a day-to-day basis." The teenage victim added: "He was a person employed to keep children safe yet he made me as a child feel unsafe. I feel like I can’t enjoy myself like my friends do because of what he has done to me."

Gibbs' defence barrister noted that the defendant had been struggling in custody, not eating, drinking, or taking medication, and was under special watch. He expressed remorse on Gibbs' behalf, saying: "He is very, very sorry for what he’s done and he’s remorseful for his actions. The man has fully, completely and totally come to his senses and has expressed his great sorrow and shame to his partner." The sentencing reflects the severity of the offences, particularly given Gibbs' position of trust as a bus driver responsible for schoolchildren.

The case was investigated by Thames Valley Police, with proceedings reported by the Witney Gazette on 22 February 2024.