Peter William Goodchild

Peter William Goodchild, a 67-year-old man from the Bury St Edmunds area with no fixed abode, has been imprisoned for 14 years following his guilty plea to multiple child sex offences. The charges stem from a series of sexual assaults committed against three young victims, all under the age of 13, over a six-year period from 2013 to 2019.

Goodchild's crimes involved sexual touching offences that exploited his position of trust with the children. The offences came to light through police investigations, leading to his arrest on 12 September 2023. Subsequent enquiries resulted in him being charged with twelve counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. On 25 March 2024, at Ipswich Crown Court, he was formally sentenced to 14 years' custody. In addition to his prison term, Goodchild was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and a restraining order lasting at least 10 years.

Detective Constable Stefan Iftode, who led the investigation for Suffolk Constabulary, described the impact of the offences: 'This was an extremely traumatic experience for the victims and committed by an offender who abused his position of trust by this offending. The victims have shown incredible bravery and this case clearly demonstrates we are absolutely committed to pursuing perpetrators, supporting victims and continuing to ensure the safety of our communities.' The case highlights the ongoing efforts by Suffolk Constabulary to address serious sexual crimes, with Goodchild's conviction serving as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences for such perpetrators.

Source: RWSfm article, based on Suffolk Constabulary statements, published in relation to the sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on 25 March 2024.