Peter John Wabel

Peter John Wabel, a 64-year-old man from Studfield Hill in Sheffield, has been imprisoned for more than nine years following his conviction for historical child sex offences committed in Marchwood in the early 1990s. At Winchester Crown Court, Wabel was found guilty after a trial of four counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14 and one count of buggery. The offences occurred between 1991 and 1992, targeting a teenager at the time, and were described in court as 'horrendous' in nature.

The case came to light through the bravery of the victim, whose report led to an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary's Amberstone Unit, a specialist team handling non-recent sexual abuse cases. During the sentencing hearing, the court heard details of the abuse that had profoundly impacted the victim's life over the decades. Wabel, who appeared at Winchester Crown Court for the proceedings, showed no remorse, as evidenced by the severity of the sentence imposed.

His Honour Judge Peter Henry, presiding over the case, highlighted the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Wabel's actions. The judge noted that the offences represented a serious breach of trust and had left indelible scars on the survivor. Following the guilty verdict from the earlier trial, Wabel was sentenced to nine years and four months' imprisonment, a term reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed against a vulnerable child.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Wabel will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period, ensuring ongoing monitoring upon his eventual release. This measure underscores the court's commitment to public protection in cases involving paedophilic behaviour. The conviction serves as a stark reminder of the enduring pursuit of justice for historical sexual abuses, with Hampshire Constabulary emphasising their dedication to supporting victims who come forward, no matter how much time has passed.

The case was reported by the New Milton Advertiser & Lymington Times on 4 April 2022, drawing attention to the resilience of survivors and the effectiveness of specialist police units in delivering accountability. DC Marie Leather from the Amberstone Unit commented on the sentencing: 'This has been a horrendous series of events which has hung over the victim for many, many years, so today’s sentencing is a milestone.' She further noted that while the abuse's effects may never fully heal, the imprisonment of Wabel offers some measure of closure and justice.