A 63-year-old man, known by the alias William Alfred Hook but whose real name is Anthony Wenzel Petermichl, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for the systematic sexual abuse of young boys during the 1970s. Petermichl, who worked as a swimming instructor at the Shirley Oaks Children's Home in Wickham Road, Croydon, exploited his position of trust to subject four boys aged between 10 and 13 to extensive abuse between 1968 and 1975. The home, run under the auspices of Lambeth and Southwark councils, was intended as a safe environment for children in care, but Petermichl's actions robbed them of their innocence, as described by the judge during sentencing at Kingston Crown Court.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Middleton, was a joint effort between police and Lambeth Council to uncover historical abuse in children's homes from the 1970s. It began after a tip-off in April 1999 from the sister of one of Petermichl's victims, which led officers to track him through the Swimming Teachers Association. Upon his arrest, police discovered a purpose-built cupboard at his home in Great Yarmouth, described by prosecutor Sally O'Neill as 'a secret shrine to his obsession with young boys'. Petermichl pleaded guilty to 26 charges, encompassing indecent assault and buggery, committed against six children in total: four from Shirley Oaks, one from Beecholme Children's Home in Banstead, and another boy not in care. All victims were aged 10 to 13 at the time.
During the court hearing on Wednesday, harrowing accounts detailed the lifelong impact on the victims. One boy, who met Petermichl during swimming lessons, endured weekly abuse for two years, transforming from a happy child to an aggressive and unruly teenager plagued by nightmares, sleepwalking, and self-blame. Prosecutor Sally O'Neill recounted: 'He went from being a happy boy to aggressive and unruly. He has nightmares and sleepwalks. He felt different from others and blamed himself. He said he was very nervous but relieved because he always worried that people would not believe him.' Another victim, now 52, continues to suffer from clinical depression, vivid flashbacks, attempted suicide, and even a stroke shortly after reporting the abuse to police.
In defence, Karim Khalil argued that Petermichl's actions stemmed from childhood trauma, including his parents' divorce and bullying due to his homosexuality, which left him isolated. Khalil claimed the cupboard served as a 'hiding place to escape the temptation to abuse'. However, Judge MacCrae dismissed these mitigations, stating: 'This is a sordid tale of depravity. You have robbed these children of their innocence. You bought their affection or made them fearful then abused them. Over 20 years have passed but your victims have to live with what you did every day.' Detective Superintendent Andy Kay of the investigating police force emphasised the betrayal of trust: 'Hook was supposed to care for these children. Instead he abused them. This sentence sends a clear message to perpetrators but also to victims that they will be treated in confidence and sympathy.' Lisa Christianson from Lambeth Council Social Services welcomed the outcome, affirming: 'Care of children is our prime concern. We must make sure it never happens again.'