Peter Philip Wallis

Peter Philip Wallis, a 59-year-old resident of Thornden Buildings in Selby, was sentenced to 15 years in prison at York Crown Court for a series of heinous sexual offences committed against a young girl over nearly a decade. The abuse took place between 1985 and 1994 in Scarborough, where Wallis previously lived. The victim, now aged 39, endured sustained torment from Wallis, described by authorities as an 'evil' perpetrator.

Wallis pleaded guilty to six counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault, and one count of gross indecency. These charges reflect the prolonged and severe nature of the abuse, which spanned nine years and involved repeated violations against the vulnerable victim during her childhood. The case came to light when the victim bravely reported the crimes to the police, highlighting the lasting impact of such offences even decades later.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Nadine Evans from the Scarborough Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit commended the victim's courage in coming forward. In a statement reported by the Yorkshire Post on 25 November 2014, Evans said: 'Wallis is an evil man who subjected his victim to sustained abuse over a number of years. He has thankfully been imprisoned for a substantial length of time for his utterly appalling crimes.' Evans further praised the victim, noting: 'I would like to take the opportunity to praise the victim for her courage in coming forward and reporting these distressing crimes she was subjected to by Wallis.' The officer also emphasised the importance of reporting such incidents, regardless of the time elapsed.

The case underscores the commitment of North Yorkshire Police in protecting vulnerable persons and pursuing justice for historical sexual abuse. Wallis's conviction and lengthy custodial sentence serve as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for those who perpetrate child sex offences.