Suspended prison sentence for former police special who sexually assaulted young girl twice

A former special constable and father who twice sexually assaulted a young girl in Cheshire, including at a Warrington theme park, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Daniel Peters appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 21 June where he was sentenced to 24 months in prison suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of community service.

The 35-year-old, formally from Northwich, but now of Hermitage Street, Rishton, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching.
During the hearing the court was told that Peter was a friend of the victim’s family and the group often used to socialise together.
Peters also had a young child himself and regularly offered to look after the victim, allowing her to sleep over at his house and taking them out on family day trips.
However, unbeknown to the victim’s family he also had a sexual interest in the child.

The first offence occurred in May 2020, when Peters was transporting the victim back to his home in Northwich for a sleepover.
As the pair were travelling in his van he pulled over into a layby and inappropriately touched her a number of times.
Later the same month, both Peters and the victim’s family went on a day trip to Gulliver’s World. While at the theme park, the child described how they were on a ride when Peters grabbed her from behind and inappropriately touched her.

Peter’s offences came to light in March 2023 when the victim’s mum discovered a number of messages on her mobile phone.
Following the discovery, the victim spoke out about what had taken place. Peters was arrested and made a full admission to the offences.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Kelly Mankee, of Northwich CID, said: “The victim’s family truly believed that they could trust Peters, he was a longtime family friend, a former special constable and, also the father to a young child himself.
“The group socialised on a regular basis and both children used to sleepover at each other’s houses.
“Yet, unbeknown to them, the real reason behind his interest was to fulfil his own sexual gratification.
“He totally abused his position of trust and his actions have had devastating consequences for the victim and her family.
“I want to praise her for the courage and bravery she has shown throughout this investigation, and I hope that the fact that Peters has now been sentenced and held accountable for his actions will provide them with some closure.”
As part of his sentence, Peter’s has also been handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register.
Cheshire Police treat all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.
To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/ .