Gerald Peck

Gerald Peck, a 77-year-old man from York Villas in Brighton, who presented himself as a private body and energy therapist, was sentenced to 11 years in prison following his conviction for serious sexual offences against a female client. The assaults occurred over an extended period during what were supposed to be therapeutic sessions aimed at alleviating the victim's depression and physical pain.

Peck advertised his services and convinced the victim, a woman in her 40s, that skin-to-skin contact, intimate touching, and penetration were essential components of her treatment for trauma and tension relief. By exploiting his position of authority and trust, Peck justified behaviour that was entirely inappropriate and abusive, far exceeding any acceptable professional boundaries in therapeutic practice.

The victim reported the assaults to the police after enduring multiple incidents. Sussex Police investigated the matter, leading to Peck's arrest and subsequent charges. On 4 February 2026, at Lewes Crown Court, Peck was found guilty on all five counts: two counts of assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault of a female. The trial highlighted how Peck had manipulated the therapeutic context to perpetrate the offences.

Sentencing took place on 12 March 2026 at the same court, where Judge [name not specified in source] imposed the 11-year custodial sentence. In addition to imprisonment, Peck was made subject to a restraining order and ordered to pay £9,730 in compensation to the victim for her therapy costs, to be settled within 10 months. The case was prosecuted under the jurisdiction of Sussex Police, as detailed in their official court results publication.

Detective Constable Jazz Gannon of Sussex Police commented on the case, stating: “The victim’s courage and determination were central to securing the sentence for serious sexual offences committed by a therapist against his client.” This conviction underscores the importance of ethical boundaries in therapeutic environments and the accountability of those in positions of trust.