A man who was in charge of children’s homes both as a Housemaster and Superintendent in the 60s and 70s has been jailed for sex offences. Peter Frank Hickman, 85 of Lawdley Road, Coleford, was dealt a six year prison sentence at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, February 11.
On July 26, 2021, he pleaded guilty to three offences at Croydon Crown Court, including indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 on at least 30 occasions, between December 1965 and November 1972. He will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
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In 2018, officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Winterkey received a third party allegation of non-recent sexual assault. Operation Winterkey investigate allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse involving people of public prominence and institutions.
In May 2018, the officers spoke with the victim who confirmed his willingness to engage with the investigation. The offences were committed against the victim while he was resident in a children’s home located in Park Road, Beckenham and later located in College Road, Dulwich during the 1960s and 1970s.
Detective Constable Simon Rubery, the investigating officer, said: “Hickman took advantage of a child in his care while in a position of trust and committed atrocious crimes against him on many occasions. Tragically the victim died last year and he will never know that his abuser has been brought to justice. I would like to commend his bravery for helping to make this possible.
“I can only hope that this sentence will give others the courage to come forward and report any abuse they have suffered, current or non-recent. Given the predatory nature of Hickman’s offending, there is a possibility that he abused other children. We urge any further victims to contact police right away – a specially trained team of detectives are ready to listen and support you.”
If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape or you have information about an offender, contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency situation. Further information, including details of agencies and charities that can offer support can be found on the Met Police website.
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I’m Sam, a News Reporter at MyLondon with a special interest in covering court and crime. I started in September 2021, and I’m based in Ealing. You can follow my Facebook page here.
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