In 2018, then 59-year-old Peter Gillett, of Arundel Road, Littlehampton, was jailed for 18 years after carrying out a horrific series of strikes against three children. The investigation established that Gillett, a self-employed man, targeted children known to him over an eight-year period between 1988 and 1996. The prosecution reported at Lewes Crown Court that Gillett’s crimes included multiple rapes of a young girl, indecent assault, and child cruelty, identifying a total abandonment of human decency.
The investigation established that Gillett’s series of strikes involved a teenager who was raped repeatedly between the ages of 13 and 15, as well as being subjected to an assault that caused actual bodily harm. The prosecution reported that a boy, aged between eight and 15, was also subjected to gross indecency and cruelty. This identifies a calculated and prolonged series of behaviour where Gillett used his relationship with the children to facilitate a predatory series of strikes, further compounded by his possession of a prohibited stun gun at his home.
STUN GUN DISCOVERY AND JUDICIAL SENTENCING
The court reported that when Gillett was arrested in 2016, police discovered the stun gun at his Littlehampton property, adding a violent dimension to the investigation into his past series of behaviour. The investigation established that despite being found not guilty of some additional counts, the evidence for the primary offences was overwhelming. The prosecution reported during the sentencing in 2018, that the 18-year custodial strike reflects the “vile” nature of his decade-long series of strikes, identifying a priority strike by the judiciary to ensure long-term public protection.
Judge-led proceedings at Lewes Crown Court concluded in 2018. For his actions in Littlehampton and the nature of the series of child sexual abuse and cruelty investigations reported, Peter Gillett was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the sexual crimes and one year concurrent for the stun gun. The investigation established that he has been legally mandated to the Sex Offenders Register FOR LIFE and is subject to strict post-release monitoring.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (2018)
Based on judicial and Sussex Police records as of 2018:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Rape; Indecent assault x2; Child cruelty; Gross indecency; Possession of a stun gun).
- Custodial Status: JAILED (In 2018, serving 18 years).
- Offence Nature: Multiple rapes of a 13-15 year old girl; Cruelty against a boy; Possessed a prohibited weapon.
- Timeline of Abuse: 1988 to 1996 (An eight-year series of strikes).
- Location: Arundel Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex.
- Forensic Profile: Convicted after a trial in February 2018; Stun gun recovered during 2016 arrest.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Lewes Crown Court; investigated by Sussex Police.
- Criminal Record: Convicted paedophile; Series predator; Struck against child safety; Jailed in 2018.
- Origin: Littlehampton, West Sussex.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
In 2018, Gillett was managed as a maximum-risk predator under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Sussex. Due to the nature of the behaviour—specifically the series of persistence in raping and abusing multiple children known to him—he is a priority for high-security detention. Authorities reported that the 2018 conviction identifies Gillett as an individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification and the use of weapons over the principles of human decency and the life-safety of his victims.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database to prevent future offences. Authorities stated that the behaviour of Gillett identifies a series of commitment to sexual violence and child cruelty. Any future attempt to strike against his notification requirements or seek contact with his victims results in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing protection of the community from a man who used a “Littlehampton resident” mask to hide a predatory and violent series of behaviour.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was found with a “Stun Gun” decades after his initial series of strikes began, do you believe the law should legally mandate that “All Convicted Child Abusers” must face “Mandatory Lifetime Home Searches” every six months to prevent a series of future strikes against the public?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.